Woman, 5-Year-Old Boy Die After Falling From Florida High-Rise

Zachary Stieber
By Zachary Stieber
February 26, 2019US News
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Woman, 5-Year-Old Boy Die After Falling From Florida High-Rise
Stock image of police tape. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

A woman and a 5-year-old boy died after falling from a high-rise in Florida, police said.

The pair were found at the high-rise in the Brickell City Center, the Miami Fire Rescue said.

Just after 8 p.m. on Feb. 25, firefighters rushed to the high-rise at 88 West Seventh Street after receiving a report of a possible jumper.

Crews found the boy unresponsive on a terrace on the sixth-floor. An adult woman was found nearby.

Miami Fire Capt. Ignatius Carroll told the Miami Herald that the woman and boy are believed to have fallen from at least the 20th floor.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene; the boy was rushed to a hospital but died later Monday.

Owner Swire Properties issued a statement on Tuesday, saying: “We are heartbroken by this incident, and our deepest sympathies are with the family and their friends during this difficult time.”

Kristen Sullivan, who lives nearby, told CBS Miami: “It’s shocking just knowing that can just happen to anybody at any time. The fact that there’s a child involved with this, it’s really heartbreaking and my thoughts go out to their family.”

“It’s horrible, so sad,” added Maria Elias, who lives in the building, to NBC Miami. “You think the worst, especially cause you’re a mom.”

Pictures and video footage from the scene showed a number of police cars on the street outside the building.

Police have not detailed whether the woman who died was related to the boy who died. Fire officials said she may be his mother.

People who identified themselves as relatives of the deceased told WSVN that the woman was the mother of the boy who died. The cause of the fall has not been detailed and police said they’re waiting on a report from investigators.

They said the woman, who was 37, was named Solange.

Other area residents told the broadcaster they were shocked by what happened.

“Late last night, I heard, in passing, ‘Rise,’ and I go, ‘No, that couldn’t be this building,’” said Patricia Lopez, who lives in the building. “I waited until this morning, saw the news, and I said, ‘Oh, my God.’”

“I asked the management and people from the building, but they weren’t allowed to say anything,” resident Roberto Junior added. “I just saw the cops in the building interviewing people. It’s a very family-friendly building. I love the area. I never saw anything weird.”

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