13-year-old dies after playground slide screw traps him
A protruding screw inside the slide caught his shirt and strangled him.
Olvin Cabrera Valladares, 13, stopped at a Miami park on his way to school on September 25 to play. Olvin went down a playground slide, but his shirt became snagged on a protruding screw inside the tube.
The screw tightened around his neck, trapping and strangling him as he struggled to break free. A father visiting the park with his children found Olvin and attempted to revive him while paramedics were called.
Paramedics rushed Olvin to hospital, where he was placed on life support. Olvin spent a week in hospital before being pronounced brain dead.
Olvin's family said he 'just wanted to play' on that September morning.
- 13 years old
- Olvin's age
- September 25
- Date of accident
- Miami park
- Location
- One week
- Time on life support
Why it mattersIt raises urgent questions about playground maintenance and whether aging equipment poses hidden risks to children.
AustraliaAustralian councils and schools oversee thousands of playgrounds with similar equipment that may need safety reviews.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked; 1 flagged for review. checked 3 h ago
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