A tragic accident at Aquagan Water Park in Croatia has resulted in the death of a 21-month-old girl from Germany. The incident occurred on the afternoon of March 5, 2024, when the toddler slipped from her father’s arms while descending a water slide, falling approximately three and a half meters (11.5 feet) onto a concrete surface.
Witnesses reported a horrifying scene as the father shouted in distress, “Don’t ask me anything, my daughter is dying!” Patrons at the park looked on in shock as a nearby doctor rushed to assist. The doctor initiated resuscitation efforts and managed to briefly revive the child before emergency crews arrived.
The toddler was airlifted to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention and later transferred to another facility for specialized care. Despite extensive treatment for serious brain trauma and internal injuries, the child succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of the following morning. The Clinical Hospital Centre in Rijeka confirmed, “Despite prompt care, multiple interventions and intensive treatment, the child died in the morning hours.”
The incident has deeply affected the local community. A witness recounted hearing cries for help before spotting the father carrying his “motionless” daughter. “We heard crying and shouting, we thought the child had drowned,” the witness stated.
Makarska Mayor Zdenko Jakuc expressed his sorrow, noting that this incident marks the first serious occurrence at the water slide since its construction two decades ago. “It is an understatement to say that we are all extremely shaken,” Mayor Jakuc remarked. He described the moment the helicopter arrived, saying, “When the helicopter landed, everything stopped. We all looked at the sky and hoped for the best.”
Local authorities have since initiated an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the accident. The inquiry will explore whether the water slide was appropriate for a child of this age and if adequate safety measures were in place.
As this story continues to unfold, the community mourns the loss of a young life and seeks answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.
