A tragic incident unfolded this week at a public hospital operated by the Mexican Social Security Administration in Quintana Roo, a state along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. A six-year-old girl died after being crushed in an elevator while she was being transported on a stretcher into the hospital area. The event has shock and sadness across the community, raising urgent questions about patient safety, equipment maintenance, and the protocols that protect vulnerable children during medical emergencies. An official report confirms the child arrived at the General Hospital in Playa del Carmen, affiliated with IMSS, and was placed on a stretcher. The elevator did not fully accommodate the load, and when the door control was activated, the child became entrapped, leading to a fatal outcome. A video circulating on social media appears to show hospital staff in a rapid response mode, attempting resuscitation with everything available, yet the life of the young patient could not be saved. The footage has intensified public scrutiny of hospital safety standards and response times in emergencies.
In the hours following the tragedy, IMSS issued a statement expressing heartfelt condolences to the girl’s family and emphasizing that appropriate care was provided from the outset. The statement asserts that comprehensive support was offered to the relatives and that transparency was a priority for the institution, while noting that further details could not be disclosed publicly at that moment. IMSS also indicated that the hospital team acted to ensure the family received all necessary assistance, highlighting ongoing cooperation with the authorities to review the case and ensure accountability. The hospital leadership attributed the incident to an elevator maintenance process managed by an external company, stating that the maintenance is the responsibility of the external service provider and that the unit promptly informed the relevant authorities to guarantee a thorough investigation. This explanation has become a focal point in discussions about maintenance responsibilities and patient safety in public health facilities.
Local media coverage has added context to the case by reporting that the child was admitted to the clinic on a Monday night with dengue fever, raising concerns about the patient’s overall stability at the time of the accident. The Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office has announced the opening of an investigation file to determine the sequence of events that led to the child’s death. Authorities indicated that a man has been taken into custody as part of the inquiry while investigators work to establish the precise causes and role of any contributing factors. The situation underscores the need for clear, reliable procedures for emergency transport within hospitals, especially for pediatric patients whose conditions can change rapidly. It also highlights the importance of independent, thorough reviews when a child’s life is at stake, ensuring that families receive transparent explanations and that hospitals tighten safeguards where necessary.