A baby died in an accident involving a baggage collection conveyor belt at a Spanish airport.
A five-month-old infant was killed in a tragic accident on Wednesday night. The boy's family had just landed at the Alicante-Elche Airport for the start of their vacation in the nearby town of Denia on Spain's Costa Blanca, when their trip quickly ended in tragedy, the New York Daily News reports.
The plane had arrived from London Gatwick, just before midnight. The family entered the terminal to retrieve their luggage from the baggage claim area.
According to sources, the boy's mother placed him on the baggage conveyor belt, which is made for large items such as big suitcases, carriages and musical instruments. Suddenly the conveyor belt was turned on and started moving. The conveyor belt moved the baby to the entrance of the bag drop portal where the bags emerge and he was tangled and trapped.
Paramedics rushed to the infant and tried to save his life, but it was too late. The child was declared dead at the scene.
Sources at the airport, which used to be called El Altet, are calling the event "an accident."They would not provide any other details than that the baby "suffered an accident on the belt."
There are mixed reports on where the family is from. Some say they were British but others say they were Americans who were traveling around Europe.
The parents of the child, who are believed to have another child, are staying at the hotel where they were supposed to stay for vacation. The Red Cross has been sent for psychological support.
According to the Daily News, a Guardia Civil spokesman said it was investigating the incident, but it is currently being called an accident.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
