A mother of two and gym owner died after a balcony collapsed beneath her feet during her birthday party in Brazil. Lorenna Moraes, 35, was celebrating with family and friends on July 18 when part of a house's balcony gave way, causing her to fall around four metres. She suffered severe injuries and went into cardiac arrest twice.
Emergency response and hospitalisation
Emergency responders treated Lorenna at the scene in Uruçuca before she was rushed to a specialist hospital in nearby Ilhéus. Despite doctors' efforts, she died later that night. Lorenna owned a gym in Ilhéus and was well known in the local fitness community. In the days before the tragedy, she had been sharing her excitement on social media about opening a new branch of her business, which was in its final stages of preparation.
Investigation into the collapse
The cause of the balcony collapse is to be investigated by authorities. Photos from the scene suggest the balcony railing gave way. Some local reports indicated Lorenna hit her head on the kerb after falling. She is survived by her husband, their son and daughter, and her mother.
Lorenna's social media posts
Lorenna regularly shared glimpses of her family life on social media. In a post from May, she wrote: "Holding my children's hands, hearing their laughter and creating memories that will last a lifetime is priceless." Earlier that month, she wrote: "Being a mother has completely transformed me. It has taught me about strength, devotion and boundless love. And having a mother reminds me every day where my care, my courage and my way of loving come from. I am grateful for the arms that once held me and for the arms that I can now open to my children."
Previous balcony collapse incident
The incident follows a balcony collapse at a wedding venue earlier this year. The ceremony was taking place in the small town of Kaladhungi in India when the horror fall occurred. Several people fell from the balcony of a neighbouring house as the wedding started. Local news outlets reported that six people were left in hospital after the incident, which occurred just before the wedding procession arrived, leaving the bride and groom distraught.
