Child Struck by Vehicle in Santiago de Cuba Passes Away

After battling for his life for nearly a month, Néstor Gabriel del Río Benavides, a 7-year-old boy, sadly passed away early on January 21. He had been involved in a tragic accident at the end of December in the Songo-La Maya district of Santiago de Cuba. The incident was reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta on social media.

On December 30, Néstor Gabriel stood with another child by the rail of a neighbor's house when a car accidentally hit them. According to earlier reports, the vehicle suffered a steering failure, causing the driver to lose control.

The unfortunate event occurred near the La Maya cemetery, with the children standing on the sidewalk between the Pioneer Palace and the cemetery. "There was a family gathering nearby, and the children stepped outside. They were standing by the rail when the car hit them. I've been told the steering malfunction caused the driver to lose control and crush them against the barrier," a family member explained.

Following the accident, Néstor Gabriel was hospitalized for almost a month at the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César Children's Hospital, also known as "La Colonia Española." During his hospital stay, blood donations were sought to assist the young boy, a gesture his family deeply appreciated.

Despite the medical team's efforts and the support they received, the boy tragically died at 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Reports about the accident mentioned Gabriel's critical condition, stating they had to wait for an advanced life support ambulance for his transfer. He suffered from "blood accumulation in the chest and significant liver damage."

As for the other child involved in the accident, Yosmany Mayeta has not provided recent updates. Previously, it was reported that the second child, whose identity remains undisclosed, had sustained an open femur fracture.