Tragic Death in Caratinga as Cow Plunges Through Roof
A Brazilian man was crushed to death by a one-tonne cow that fell through the roof of his home while he was sleeping in his bed. The victim, Joao Maria de Souza, aged 45, suffered fatal injuries in the shocking incident that occurred in the town of Caratinga, located in southeastern Brazil.
His wife, who was lying beside him, escaped unharmed from the bizarre accident that has left the local community in a state of shock and mourning.
A Sudden and Violent Awakening
The couple were fast asleep when the enormous farm animal, which had been grazing on a steep hill behind their property, stepped onto their asbestos roof. The roof, unable to support the animal's immense weight, completely collapsed.
The cow subsequently fell eight feet through the structure, landing directly on the couple's bed. The force of the impact crushed Joao, who was sleeping on the side where the animal landed.
Emergency services rushed the 45-year-old to a nearby hospital. Initially, he was conscious and able to speak to his relatives, presenting with what appeared to be a broken leg. Tragically, his condition deteriorated, and he died in hospital the following day. The cause of death was later attributed to internal bleeding resulting from the crush injuries.
A Mother's Grief and a Pattern of Incidents
Following the tragic event in 2013, the Civil Police of Vale do Rio Doce opened an investigation into the highly unusual circumstances surrounding Joao's death.
His grieving mother, Maria de Souza, gave a poignant interview to Brazil's Super Canal TV channel, expressing her profound disbelief. "I didn't bring my son up to be killed by a falling cow," she stated. She recounted how he had survived a serious bout of meningitis as a toddler, only to meet his end in such a freak accident. "There's no justice in the world," she lamented.
Disturbingly, this was not an isolated event in the hilly, cattle-raising region of Caratinga. Reports indicated it was the third incident of its kind in the area within three years. In the first incident, no one was injured as the house was empty. In a second event at a different home, a baby and a young child had a miraculous escape, as the cow landed next to them while they slept.
Family Points Finger at Hospital Delay
While Mr De Souza initially seemed to be in stable condition, his relatives have suggested that the time he spent waiting for medical attention contributed to his death. His brother-in-law, Carlos Correa, told Brazil’s Hoje em Dia newspaper, "Being crushed by a cow in your bed is the last way you expect to leave this earth."
He added, "But in my view it wasn’t the cow that killed our João, it was the unacceptable time he spent waiting to be examined."
In a final twist to the tragic tale, the cow involved in the incident was reported to have been completely unharmed.
