A family's birthday celebrations turned to heartbreak after a grandmother died following a fall from aircraft stairs while travelling to celebrate her daughter's birthday. Maria da Gloria Pereira da Silva Favaro, 72, tragically died after falling from aircraft stairs as passengers disembarked at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She was rushed to hospital after the accident on Friday but died two days later, with local reports confirming she had suffered a 'skull bleed' following the fall.
Witness Account
The incident was witnessed by Brazilian influencer Julio Mamute, who said he was among the first people to reach her. Fighting back tears, he said: 'I saw a person fall at my feet and stop moving. I approached and was the first to notice that at that moment the person was still breathing with difficulty. She fell onto her neck on the last few steps.' The influencer later admitted he was still struggling to process what he had witnessed. He said: 'I am still shaken by what happened. I will never forget it. I ask that you pray for the family, that's all that matters right now. And please be careful with these stairs. Tragedies like this can be avoided.'
Details of the Incident
Maria had arrived on Latam flight LA3785 from Ribeirao Preto, in Sao Paulo state, when the accident happened. Confirming her death, Latam Airlines Brasil said: 'On Friday a passenger suffered a fall while descending the stairs from flight LA 3785 (Ribeirao Preto to Congonhas). She was assisted by an ambulance and taken to a local hospital for treatment, accompanied by a company employee who remained on site until the family arrived. LATAM deeply regrets the passenger's death and extends its condolences to her family. The airline emphasises that it followed all protocols established for this type of situation, reiterating that it adopts all possible safety measures, both technical and operational, to ensure a safe journey for everyone.'
Tributes and Funeral
Tributes have since poured in from loved ones. Dermatologist Raquel Favaro paid tribute to her mother, writing on social media: 'I don't know whether I managed to give back all the love I received but thank you mum, I will always love you. After I became a mother, I realized that your love and devotion were actually even greater than I could see. Thank you for everything, and especially for what you did that I couldn't 'see.' I hope that one day my love will repay, at least in part, everything you did for me. I love you.' Maria leaves behind her husband, two children, and four grandchildren. Her funeral took place on Tuesday, 3 June, in her hometown of Ituverava.
