In Toledo, Ohio an 11-year-old girl became trapped in a mechanical gate in a housing community and died instantly. The mother Alesia Abbott was the first adult to rush to the scene as she saw her daughter Ahjzanae trapped yelling for help. Mrs. Abbott dialed 911 immediately but within minutes she went limp and died before authorities could arrive.
Ahjzanae was collecting rocks Sunday afternoon with her 4-year-old brother and another child in the enclosed parking lot in front of Museum Place Apartments. The gate was activated at 3:30pm trapping the girl. Authorities have stated that she became trapped between the mechanical gate and its control box. The victim died of compressive asphyxia because she was wedged into such a small space. Toledo firefighters pronounced her dead at 3:34pm on Sunday. The death is not being investigated as homicide; investigators have concluded that it was in fact accidental. It is still unclear how she managed to become trapped in such a severe way, but detectives have guessed that she was standing on the gate when the gate began to move. The death is the first accident with the gate or with the Wallick-Hendy’s properties. The gate manufacturers Linear Osco of Casnovia, Michigan declined to comment on the incident. Family members stated on Monday that they were devastated, and that Ahjzanae was irreplaceable in their family.
This tragic accident cost the life of a young girl because of an incident that could have been prevented. In a case like this, it is difficult to know who to blame and what course of action to take. This type of accident could have been prevented if a simple sign was placed on the gate or even if there was a warning sound every time the gate was going to be closed. It is little things like this that could have had an enormous impact. The gate manufacturer or even property owner could possibly be held responsible if either of these was supposed to occur and did not. If your child suffered an injury from a mechanical gate, contacting an Arizona personal injury lawyer is your best option for compensation.