A medical statement confirming that the two children who were pulled from the Arachtos river in Arta on Wednesday (11.06.2025) unconscious and had been revived by doctors are brain dead was issued by the University Hospital of Patras, confirming the report by parapolitika.gr. Moreover, as stated in the medical announcement and as parapolitika.gr had earlier reported, the children’s parents decided to donate their organs, giving life to other children.
Read: Tragedy on Arachtos: Two children brain dead despite doctors’ battle at Rio University Hospital
It should be noted that the tragic outcome for the two teenagers was decisively influenced by the fact that their brains remained without oxygen for more than 50 minutes when they drowned in the river waters, as parapolitika.gr had earlier reported. For almost three days, doctors and nurses at the University Hospital of Rio made superhuman efforts in the Pediatric ICU, where they were hospitalized on ventilators, to keep them alive.
Specifically, the medical statement from the University Hospital of Patras notes, among other things: “Regarding the transfer of two children aged 14 and 12 from Arta General Hospital, who had fallen into a river and were pulled out unconscious. Despite persistent resuscitation efforts and care in the Pediatric ICU for 48 hours, both children suffered brain death. Their parents made the brave decision to donate the children’s organs to save other lives. The hospital expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families”.
Arachtos: Complete medical statement from Patras hospital
“1. D.S.: This concerns a 14-year-old child victim of river submersion. He was pulled out after several minutes unconscious. He was transferred to Arta General Hospital where advanced CPR was performed for 50 minutes, restoring ventricular rhythm. He was transferred intubated by ambulance with an anesthesiologist to the Pediatric ICU and despite the efforts of the department’s doctors and nurses for 48 hours, his rescue was not possible. Brain death was confirmed. After the announcement of brain death, the parents decided to donate their child’s organs so that other children could be saved.
2.F.K.: This concerns a 12-year-old child victim of river submersion. He was pulled out after several minutes unconscious. He was transferred to Arta General Hospital where advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 50 minutes, restoring ventricular rhythm. He was transferred intubated by ambulance with medical escort to the Pediatric ICU and despite the efforts of the department’s doctors and nurses for 48 hours, his rescue was not possible. Brain death was confirmed and announced to the parents. After the announcement of brain death, the parents decided to donate their child’s organs so that other children could be saved.
The Administration and staff of the hospital express their heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the young children”.
Arta: How the tragic incident occurred at Arachtos river
It should be noted that the incident occurred at the Arachtos river in Arta on Wednesday afternoon (11/6), when four minor friends decided to cool off on the riverbank. While playing and swimming, the two boys disappeared under the water. Immediately, the other two children in the group panicked and called for help.
Specifically, according to information, the children were at a point where the water depth reaches 6 meters. When the child entered the water, he couldn’t get out. Then the second child also went in. However, the other two didn’t enter. They alerted people who were at a nearby cafe and with a boat, a man was able to approach the pillar and managed to pull the children out from a depth of 7 meters.
“A child came and asked us for help. He said to run quickly because two of his friends from the group of 4 who were swimming hadn’t appeared. Customers from the shop took the two boats from the small harbor. They tried to find the children,” said a local shop owner.
