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Family drove 62 miles with son 'asleep' in back seat - then realise he had died

The attack struck without warning, and his parents, oblivious to any problem and believing he was simply resting, carried on with their journey before later making the devastating discovery.

[Mature couple getting ready to start a car journey]

The man had reportedly been suffering from obesity and heart issues (stock)(Image: Peter Carruthers via Getty Images)

A family getaway turned to tragedy when parents drove 62 miles with their son in the rear seat, only to discover he had passed away. The incident occurred on Sunday (August 16) at approximately 7.30am on the A21 Turin-Piacenza motorway in northern Italy.

The 31-year-old son, identified as L. T, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while seated in the back of the vehicle. The attack struck without warning, and his parents, oblivious to any problem and believing he was simply resting, carried on with their journey before later making the devastating discovery.

The Romanian national had reportedly battled obesity and cardiac problems for several years and travelled with oxygen cylinders. The family had been visiting their homeland and were returning to their residence in Montpellier, France.

After attempting to engage him and receiving no response, his father stopped at a lay-by, with the grim realisation made at a service station near Voghera.

[Bologna, Italy July 27-2025 an emergency ambulance is parked along a sunlit italian street beneath traditional portico arches. the warm colors, classical architectural details, and shaded colonnade contrast with the modern emergency vehicle, capturing a blend of historic urban character and everyday civic life.]

A doctor confirmed that he'd died (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

Only then did they understand he wasn't sleeping - he was unconscious and had no pulse. Emergency services were contacted on 118, but a doctor could only confirm his death. His final words had been uttered around 100 kilometres earlier during the trip.

Police and Alessandria Ovest motorway officers attended the scene.

This follows another heartbreaking fatality in Italy during July, when 11-year-old Alice Ferrari died after her hair became caught in a swimming pool's suction pipe while holidaying with her family in Sestri Levante in Lombardy.

She had ventured into an indoor swimming pool seeking refuge from the scorching temperatures on the beach, but became trapped beneath the water.

Another youngster sounded the alert upon noticing she had failed to resurface. Daniele Muzio, the lido's co-manager, plunged into the pool and used scissors to free her tangled hair.

Once brought back to the surface, Alice received CPR treatment for 45 minutes before being airlifted to hospital, but she tragically died.

[couple in car]

It took place on on the A21 Turin-Piacenza motorway in northern Italy (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

Italy's Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, Nello Musumeci, stated: "In the last three months, five minors have died in swimming pools. Strict discipline is needed, but also greater caution is needed in never leaving children alone in the water.

"The Meloni government's bill, aimed at this goal, will be approved by the relevant committee within the month, and we will do everything possible to schedule it urgently."

Alice, a budding equestrian, was described as a "promising young rider with a bright future ahead of her" by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation.

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