MANAUS, BRAZIL – Eighteen-year-old Lucas Henrique Tavares Cabral died hours after being rescued from a car that fell into a stream during a severe storm that hit Manaus on Monday (15). The information was confirmed by the Legal Medical Institute (IML), which said the cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation and drowning.

The accident occurred in the southern zone of the city. Another 18-year-old woman, identified only as Alice, was also in the vehicle. She managed to jump out before the car fully plunged but ended up falling into the stream.

Lucas Henrique, however, became trapped inside the vehicle. Videos recorded by witnesses show men pulling him out through the rear window. The car’s roof was partially submerged, and the vehicle was at risk of being swept away further by the strong current.

According to the Fire Department, both victims were rescued, received initial medical care, and were taken alive to hospitals in the capital of Amazonas state.

Lucas Henrique later succumbed to his injuries. The heavy rainfall caused flooding across several streets and avenues in different areas of the city. Civil Defense issued a severe risk alert to residents. In total, 22 incidents were reported.

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