A two-year-old boy from Manzanilla, in the province of Huelva, who had been missing with his grandfather since the previous Wednesday, died on the following Tuesday after being transported to a Seville hospital by helicopter for urgent care. The child had been in intensive care at Virgen del Rocío hospital, where medical teams battled to stabilize him in the days after the family was found and the duo were located on a road near Villarrasa.
Local authorities confirmed the death, and the mayor of Manzanilla, Cristóbal Carrillo, voiced the community’s sorrow and extended condolences to the family and friends affected by this loss. The incident drew significant attention in the town, where residents followed updates with growing concern.
Initial reports indicated the boy arrived at the Seville hospital in a critical condition following helicopter transport. He received immediate medical attention, yet his condition deteriorated over time, and he did not recover. At the time of discovery, relatives had described moments of cautious optimism as the child showed some responsiveness to stimuli, but the prolonged period without oxygen in the vehicle where he had been found created severe, lasting damage.
The grandfather and the boy had disappeared after leaving in a black Skoda Octavia the previous Wednesday. Neighbours eventually located them the next day along a rural road in the municipality of Villarrasa, prompting rapid assistance from emergency services. The grandfather was taken to a hospital in Huelva for treatment, but he died before reaching care. The boy was taken to the hospital in Seville for specialized support while his grandfather’s health status was assessed.
According to the autopsy results released by the family’s representatives and reiterated by the Manzanilla mayor, the grandfather is believed to have suffered a hypoglycemic episode that led to loss of consciousness. Officials indicated that the individual had a history of diabetes, which aligns with the assessment that a sudden drop in blood sugar could have precipitated the event. The investigation continues to determine the full sequence of events and any contributing factors in this tragedy.