Tragic Events Shake Palermo: Professor Falls from Balcony with Son, Another Dies in Car Crash

The eve of Christmas in Palermo witnessed two heartbreaking incidents that deeply impacted the city. Investigations are underway to understand the circumstances surrounding these events.

Incident 1: Professor's Fall from Balcony:
In Via Ausonia, a 38-year-old university professor fell from a balcony with his four-year-old son. Tragically, the man lost his life instantly, but miraculously, the child survived. The motive behind the fall remains unclear — whether it was a suicide attempt or an act to save the child who leaned over the railing.

M.G., the 38-year-old professor, and the child fell before 3 a.m. near the Renzo Barbera Stadium. M.G. succumbed to the fall after crashing through the roof of a restaurant. The child escaped unharmed, thanks to sound-absorbing panels on the restaurant's roof. The professor, who lost his wife a year ago, was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to severe injuries.

Incident 2: Fatal Car Crash Involving Michelangelo Aruta:
Michelangelo Aruta, a 22-year-old university student, died in a tragic car crash on Viale Lazio, Viale Regione Siciliana. Driving a Smart, the vehicle reportedly flew off a bridge. Michelangelo died instantly, and a 17-year-old passenger is in critical condition at Villa Sofia Hospital.

Messages of grief and love flooded social media, with Rita Aruta, Michelangelo's aunt, expressing the profound loss. The city was shocked by the untimely death of this young individual, turning the Christmas Eve into a somber occasion.

Investigations:
Initial speculations of suicide in the balcony incident shifted to the possibility of a tragic accident based on witness accounts. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the true sequence of events. In the car crash case, Michelangelo's vehicle allegedly collided with a van, leading to the fatal incident. The driver of the van, reportedly unaware of the collision, is being investigated by municipal police.

Conclusion:
These incidents cast a pall over Palermo on Christmas Eve, leaving the community mourning the loss of a professor and a promising young student. As investigations continue, the city grapples with the profound impact of these tragic events on the holiday season.