Boy, 2, tragically dies after falling into well on his mother’s birthday

Felipa Lima, from Brazil, tragically plummeted to his death after he slipped and fell into a well. His father has paid an emotional tribute, sharing what happened just moments before his death

A young boy fell to his death down a well whilst celebrating his mum’s birthday, his devastated dad said.

Willan Lima, from São Sebastião, Brazil^[1], lost his son Felipe after he stepped onto a slab, which had been weakened by the rain. Sadly, the sealed well suddenly caved in, which saw the toddler plummet down the hole on September 13.

The two-year-old was playing in the garden^[2] on his mother’s birthday when the tragedy took place. Despite help from a couragous young man, who his family labelled a hero, things didn’t look good for Felipe after he was pulled out of the well.

As he was being rushed to the hospital, the toddler passed away. His family have since confirmed that his cause of death was drowning. Now, his father has shared a letter detailing the moments which led up to his death. He explained that they had just celebrated his mother’s birthday, when playtime with his cousins went wrong.

READ MORE: ‘Cherished’ teacher and mum of two dies suddenly in Bulgaria tragedy^[3]READ MORE: ‘I had stomach pains before seeing a hallucination of an IKEA store’^[4]

He said: “In the morning we celebrated together, but in the afternoon, fate changed our lives. In the yard, playing with your cousins, you stepped over an old, completely sealed well. A split second and the slab, weakened by the rain, gave way. A young man from the community, a hero without a cape, climbed down and courageously pulled you out. Rescue professionals fought, but on the way to the mobile ICU, you passed away.”

The father continued: “Your mother and I only had access to you at the hospital. Weeping took over. I cried out to God for a miracle: ‘Lord, give him back to me.’ But the choir of angels was louder, and they needed you in heaven.”

Speaking about how he had turned to faith in their darkest time, Willan described the moment he saw a “ray of light” in the morgue, reports TNH1^[5]. “The first night at the morgue was a trial I never thought I’d face,” he said. “Amidst the cold corridors, I noticed a ray of light above you—a sign from heaven. Professionals supported us with humanity. After the autopsy, the cause of death was confirmed: drowning. Your departure was premature.

“Your mother and I haven’t found answers, but we trust that everything has a purpose. You are now a star shining alongside the Father’s constellations. Our home holds every memory of you. We will carry on with faith, even without the sweetness you brought to life. The angels welcomed you; the sky filled with rain for your triumphant arrival.”

The father thanked members of the public for their support and left a lasting piece of advice to others, before it’s too late. He said: “If I could leave a message, I would say: love your loved ones very much. Today I carry the wound in my heart, but also the certainty that I loved him with all my heart. Eternal longing for our little Lipe, our shooting star Felipe.”