4-year-old Killed in Sears Escalator Accident at Auburn Mall

March 24, 2011
4:44 pm

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4-year-old Killed in Sears Escalator Accident at Auburn Mall

03/23/2011 // Greensboro, NC, USA // Personal Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley

Auburn, MA—A 4-year-old boy is dead after falling through a gap between two escalators at the Sears Department Store in the Auburn Mall on Friday, March 11, 2011, reported The Daily Westborough.

According to officials, Mark DiBona, 4, fell through the gap between the up and down escalators at the department store. The boy fell nearly 18 feet before landing on a display case inside of the store.

Responding emergency crews rushed the victim to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Memorial Campus for treatment of his life-threatening injuries. But on Saturday, DiBona succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Officials have suspended the two inspectors from the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety who are responsible for inspecting the Sears escalators. A barricade should have been placed between the escalator and the wall, which could have prevented the fatal accident. The lack of the installation of the barricade resulted in a gap of 6-1/4 inches between the up and down escalators, according to officials.