A 21-month-old girl from Germany has died after reportedly slipping from her father’s arms while going down a waterslide at a popular tourist waterpark in Lopar, Croatia.
The heartbreaking incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Aquagan waterpark, located in the San Marino resort area. Local reports say the toddler fell from a height of approximately 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) onto a concrete surface.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and devastation. One onlooker recalled the child’s father shouting in distress: “Don’t ask me anything, my daughter is dying!”
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, with firefighters helping clear a landing site for a rescue helicopter. The little girl was airlifted to Rijeka Hospital, where doctors attempted to stabilize her. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead early the next morning due to severe brain trauma and internal injuries.
Dr. Iva Bilić Čače, head of the Pediatric Clinic at the hospital, said the child was admitted in critical condition with multiple serious injuries. “Despite intensive treatment and urgent interventions, we were unable to save her,” she said.
A Slovenian doctor who happened to be at the park was among the first to assist. Witnesses said the child briefly regained consciousness and moved her arms as the doctor performed resuscitation.
Authorities from the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fall, including whether the slide was age-appropriate and if safety protocols were followed.
The mayor of Lopar, Zdenko Jakuc, expressed his shock and sorrow, saying: “It is an understatement to say that we are all extremely shaken. When the helicopter landed, everything stopped. We all looked at the sky and hoped for the best.”
“This park has operated for years without such an incident,” the Lopar tourist board said in a statement. “Lopar is known as a peaceful and family-friendly destination. We deeply regret what happened and extend our heartfelt condolences to the child’s family.”
The owner of the waterpark, Josip Ivanić, has declined to comment publicly as the investigation continues.
