A tragic and highly unusual accident has been reported in Portugal, where a 59-year-old man allegedly died after his partner accidentally fell on him and was unable to get back up.
Freak Accident in Porto District
The incident happened in the early hours of Monday in Campanhã, a residential district on the outskirts of Porto. According to reports from Portuguese media, the man—described as being of slight build—was lying on the floor beside his partner when she attempted to move closer to him after getting out of bed.
His partner, aged 60 and reported to weigh over 100kg, stumbled and fell on top of him. Due to her size and the confined space between the bed and the wall, she became trapped and could not get back up. Neighbours, alerted by her screams for help, rushed to the couple’s aid. They eventually managed to move her off the man, but by then he was unconscious.
Emergency Responders Unable to Save Him
Firefighters and paramedics arrived swiftly and attempted to revive the victim, who had gone into cardiac arrest. Sadly, their efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local newspaper Correio da Manhã reported that it took five men to lift the woman off her partner. Investigators from Portugal’s PSP police confirmed that the case has been ruled an accidental death, specifically an accidental asphyxia, with no evidence of foul play.
Couple Had Lived Together for Years
Although they were not formally married, the couple had lived together for several years as husband and wife. Friends and neighbours described the incident as “shocking” and “heartbreaking.” Authorities have since arranged grief counselling for the woman following the loss of her long-time partner.
Police sources stressed that it was a freak occurrence, caused by an unfortunate stumble and the woman’s inability to free herself. While such accidents are rare, experts note that cases of accidental smothering—though usually involving infants—have been medically documented.
This tragic case in Porto has since sparked discussions locally about obesity, health risks, and home safety, with some observers pointing out the vulnerability of elderly couples in confined living spaces.