A six-year-old boy was crushed to death by a forklift driven by his own father at the family business.
Lucas De March was struck at around 6.30pm on Friday (8 May).
As soon as his father, Gabriele De March, realised what had happened, he raised the alarm.
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Emergency responders arrived within minutes but nothing could be done to save little Lucas.
The horror unfolded on the premises of Meccanica De March, a mechanical engineering company in an industrial area of Sedico, Italy.
Lucas would often spend time at the business with his father after the working day ended.
According to employees, Gabriele would sometimes take him for short rides on the forklift in the company yard.
Investigators are now examining whether Lucas may have suddenly lost his balance and fallen in front of the moving vehicle.
The forklift has been seized and will be inspected to determine whether it meets safety regulations.
Prosecutors may consider charges of manslaughter against Gabriele, as reported by Need To Know.
Lucas, who was due to start primary school in September, leaves behind a three-year-old brother.
He attended the Doushin Dojo ASD judo school, where he had finished his lesson at 5pm before going to see his father at work.
The school paid tribute, saying: “Lucas was a bright, cheerful child, a well-mannered and respectful judoka.
“We will miss him very much, and so will his classmates.”
Psychological support will be made available in the nurseries and primary schools attended by Lucas’s friends.
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