A 16-year-old boy tragically died just minutes after eating ice cream with his friends in Casoria, Italy. Adriano D'Orsi and his two friends stopped at their usual gelateria on the way home after an evening out on Saturday, May 16. The teenager started to show symptoms of a severe respiratory reaction after a few mouthfuls of gelato. He desperately asked his friends for help, and they rushed him to his father Mauro D'Orsi's home.
Desperate Efforts to Save Him
The father tried to save his son's life by administering cortisone, a jab that can help relieve allergy symptoms, but it had no effect. When emergency services arrived, Adriano was already unconscious, and all attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Allergic Reaction to Milk Proteins
Adriano, who was severely allergic to milk proteins, had gone into anaphylactic shock. The teen's family said he was always careful with his food to avoid milk products. He is believed to have eaten dairy-free fruit ice cream; however, traces of milk may have ended up in it, either via the scoop or the ice cream machine.
His mother, Antonietta Esposito, told local media: 'Since he was little, he had episodes we couldn't explain. Then, after tests, we discovered his allergy. But Adriano adapted very well. Before eating anything, he would carefully read the label and never made mistakes. Adriano used to go to that ice cream shop, and the staff serving the cones were aware of his severe lactose intolerance and would steer him towards the lactose-free tubs. But he told me that he always read the labels anyway.'
Investigation Underway
Police have seized several tubs of ice cream from the gelateria as part of an ongoing investigation. A post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death. Adriano was in his third year at the nautical institute in Bagnoli and dreamed of becoming a ship captain.
Mother's Emotional Tribute
Mum Antonietta paid an emotional tribute to her son: 'He knew what he wanted to do with his future. He used to tell me, "Mum, in two years I'll take you travelling around the world, you'll see." Now all of that is gone. Adriano was a wonderful boy. A perfect son, the kind many mothers would wish for. And I was lucky enough to have him.'
