Sidra (4) died from gymnastics practice at school

Four-year-old toddler Sidra Atmane from Burcht, Belgium, died as a result of a tragic accident that occurred during a gymnastics exercise at school. The incident happened when Sidra became trapped in a jungle gym, causing her to suffocate and suffer a heart attack. Despite resuscitation attempts by the teachers and a stay in the hospital where she lay in a coma, Sidra lost the battle after almost five days.

Sidra’s family confirmed her death and expressed their “devastation”. Sidra’s situation had been critical since the accident, and she had also suffered two epileptic seizures. A brain scan showed brain damage and there was fear of a brain haemorrhage. Sidra’s parents, who constantly watched over her sick bed, are now being cared for by family. The intention is to transfer Sidra to Morocco for her funeral as soon as possible.

“What we know is that Sidra climbed onto the climbing frame at one point,” the parents say. “She probably also stuck her head between the bars of the rack. And they tell us that she suffocated. Then the gymnastics teacher saw that, her eyes were apparently already closed and her tongue was sticking out. We don’t even know how he freed her. We were not told. But he started resuscitating her, and afterwards the ambulances took over. They got her had to perform CPR for 45 minutes.”