Boy, 7, who fell off ferry to his death with mum was 'in a wheelchair' at time

03 July 2023 , 12:17

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A photo from the mammoth rescue operation (Image: DAILY MIRROR)

A seven-year-old boy who fell overboard into the Swedish seas and died with his mum may have been a wheelchair user, witnesses have said.

The woman, 36, and her son have been identified only by their first names, Paulina and Lech, both from Grudziądzt in Poland.

Lech fell overboard off the Stena Spirit passenger ferry in the Baltic Sea on Friday and initial reports said Paulina dived in to save him - but eyewitnesses have since suggested an alternative sequence of events

Polish media quoted eyewitnesses from the ferry as saying the child was "disabled in some way" and used a buggy or wheelchair.

Fellow passenger Beata told local newspaper Fakt: "I remember thinking it was unusual to have such a big baby in a stroller, but the boy may have been disabled in some way."

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Stena Spirit ferry where the incident happened (Alamy Stock Photo)

The woman and her boy were hauled out of the water before being airlifted to a hospital, but they couldn't be saved and were pronounced dead.

CCTV footage is said to not match the version of events that the mother saved him and Swedish cops are now investigating the incident as a possible murder-suicide.

Beata continued: “I was walking past her [the mother]. Now I wish I had asked her any questions, made contact, anything.

"I didn't get the immediate impression that she needed help, but it would be better if I stayed by her side. But it was cold and I hid below deck."

According to Thomas Johansson from the Swedish Police, there were a number of circumstances described by the ferry crew and passengers, CCTV footage, and identification of the victims, that allowed them to treat it as a murder case.

Mr Johannson told Fakt: "However, I would like to emphasise that there is no suspect and we do not intend to charge anyone."

When questioned if the reason for the lack of a suspect is "because she's dead", he cut the conversation short saying he could not answer.

Rachel Hagan