The Trimarchi family from Italy did not expect that their island-hopping vacation in the tropical paradise of Caramoan, Philippines would come to a tragic end.
Manette Trimarchi is still in disbelief that her 7-year-old daughter Gaia Trimarchi is now dead after being stung by a box jellyfish, one of the deadliest sea creatures in the world, on Thursday, July 26, reported ABS-CBN.
Gaia was a young soul gone too soon who has brought pride to her family by winning gold medals in swimming competitions in Italy.
Manette narrated to ABS-CBN that her daughter was just picking up some shells in the shallow waters of Sabitang Laya island when she started screaming in pain.
When they took her out of the water, Manette said that Gaia’s legs turned purple and were covered with barbs. She even said that she tried comforting her daughter that nothing will happen to her despite the excruciating pain.
“Mama, please don’t bring me back to the sea. This is the last time,” those were some of the last words of Gaia before the sting eventually took her life.
Their boatman was the one who told them that it was a box jellyfish which stung Gaia. She could have been treated by pouring vinegar on the sting but Manette said that the tour guide and the boatmen did not have first aid kits.
Manette further recalled that it took them at least 40 minutes to bring Gaia to the nearest hospital, but it was too late as Gaia was pronounced dead on arrival at the Caramoan Municipal Hospital due to serious allergic reaction.
Dr. Minerva Aguirre, one of the hospital’s attending physicians,said that Gaia’s pupils were dilated and that her vital signs were gone. Despite being prepared to treat the victim, they were not able to save her since she arrived lifeless.
What is a box jellyfish
National Geographic stated on its website that box jellyfish is one of the deadliest sea creatures in the world as it has venom that attacks the heart, nervous system, and skin cells.
The same source described the sting of box jellyfish as “overpoweringly painful,” adding that “human victims have been known to go into shock and drown or die of heart failure before even reaching shore.”
They are sometimes unnoticeable when they are underwater as they are characterized by their translucent blue color.
The box jellyfish can grow up to 10ft. long and can live up to one year. They got their name from their cube-like shape.
Main photo credits: ABS-CBN, National Geographic
