A grandmother who was traveling to celebrate her daughter’s birthday tragically passed away after a severe fall that caused her to land on her neck while deplaning. Maria da Gloria Pereira da Silva Favaro, 72, sustained critical injuries after falling from the aircraft stairs during disembarkation at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She was swiftly taken to the hospital following the incident on Friday but succumbed to a “skull bleed” two days later, as per local reports.
The distressing event was witnessed by Brazilian influencer Julio Mamute, who recounted being one of the first responders to the scene. Visibly emotional, he recounted, “I witnessed a person falling in front of me and losing consciousness.” He added, “Approaching her, I noticed she was still struggling to breathe. She fell on her neck on the final steps.”
Reflecting on the incident, the influencer expressed ongoing shock, saying, “I am still deeply affected by what I saw. It will stay with me forever.” He urged others to pray for the family and emphasized the importance of caution on such stairs to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Maria had arrived on Latam flight LA3785 from Ribeirao Preto in Sao Paulo state when the unfortunate mishap occurred. Latam Airlines Brasil confirmed the incident, expressing condolences and detailing the assistance provided to the passenger and her family during the ordeal.
Tributes have poured in for Maria, with her daughter, dermatologist Raquel Favaro, honoring her mother’s memory on social media. Raquel expressed gratitude for her mother’s love and sacrifices, acknowledging their profound impact on her life.
Maria is survived by her husband, two children, and four grandchildren, with her funeral held in her hometown of Ituverava. The airline reiterated its commitment to safety measures and expressed deep regret over the passenger’s tragic death.