The tragic death of twelve-year-old Carlotta in Catanzaro hospital raises serious questions about Italian emergency care. The girl died after, according to her family, she had to wait for two hours for an ambulance to take her from the Soverato hospital emergency room to Catanzaro for further examination. Carlotta's parents have filed a complaint and are demanding justice and the truth for their daughter.
The public prosecutor's office has now opened proceedings for involuntary manslaughter against unknown persons and ordered an autopsy, which will be carried out tomorrow. The tragedy occurred last weekend when Carlotta, who was spending her summer vacation in Calabria, developed severe back and breathing difficulties as well as signs of paralysis in her legs while riding the carousel in Amaroni on Saturday evening. She was immediately taken to the emergency room in Soverato.
A CT scan carried out there revealed no abnormalities, but due to the persistent symptoms, a transfer to Catanzaro was ordered for an MRI and neurological examination. However, according to the parents, there were unexplained bureaucratic problems that delayed the arrival of the emergency services. Although the parents offered to call a private ambulance, and an empty ambulance was on its way back, the hospital insisted on the already-alarmed ambulance, which would take two hours. When Carlotta finally arrived in Catanzaro, she lost consciousness and died despite all attempts at resuscitation. The family wants to clarify whether the ambulance's delay contributed to her death and whether the girl's condition was underestimated.
