A new dad died in a horror cistern accident before his mum was killed, apparently trying to save him.
Vincenzo Troia, 21, had welcomed a baby boy with his partner just four months ago in May.
But he was found dead alongside his mum, Rosalia La Manna, 37, at their family home in Partinico, Italy, yesterday (21 September) morning.
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The pair are believed to have died just minutes apart after being overcome by a deadly atmosphere inside an underground cistern.
Vincenzo had reportedly climbed down to retrieve nets used by the family for collecting olives.
The nets are said to have been left inside for around a year, allowing organic matter to decompose.
It is believed this caused carbon dioxide to build up inside the confined space, while firefighters later found there was no oxygen in the cistern.
Vincenzo is thought to have lost consciousness almost immediately.
When Rosalia realised her son had not returned, she reportedly climbed down after him.
She too was overcome.
Emergency medics could only confirm that mother and son had died, as reported by Need To Know.
Specialist firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were called in to recover their bodies and make the area safe.
The tragedy unfolded in the garage beneath the family’s home.
Rosalia was formerly the owner of the family’s organic farming business.
Vincenzo worked alongside his dad as a tractor driver, carrying out agricultural work for landowners in the area.
The young dad had recently bought a new tractor with his father, allowing them to take on jobs they had previously been unable to do.
Vincenzo lived with his partner and their baby in a house directly opposite his parents’ home.
The devastated family are now preparing for the funerals of the young father and his mum.
No autopsies will be carried out, and their bodies have been returned to relatives.
Partinico mayor Pietro Rao said the community had been left “shocked” by the tragedy.
He said: “It is difficult to find words in the face of such a heartbreaking loss.
“A mother and a son have lost their lives in tragic circumstances, leaving a void that no words can ever fill.”
The exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation by the Carabinieri.
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