Mother survives car plunge into lake, but her 3-year-old daughter dies

A tragic accident in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, has claimed the life of a 3-year-old girl, Fidelina, after her mother's car plunged into Lake Nahuel Huapi. The incident occurred yesterday as Fidelina's mother, Eugenia, attempted to drive the family's car out of their steep, snow-covered driveway.

According to Fidelina's parents, Eugenia and Agustín, the family had planned an outing to Cerro Catedral. As Eugenia reversed the car from the parking area to navigate the steep incline, the vehicle began to slide sideways on the snow. Fidelina was in her car seat beside her mother, while Agustín was outside, offering directions.

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I realized we were going to roll over. Fide told me ‘Mom!’, as if scolding me. I told her not to be afraid, that nothing was happening, that I was with her.

"I realized we were going to roll over. Fide told me 'Mom!', as if scolding me. I told her not to be afraid, that nothing was happening, that I was with her," Eugenia recounted tearfully. The car rolled several times before plunging into the lake. The vehicle submerged rapidly, and in the darkness and confusion, Eugenia could not locate Fidelina.

Eugenia managed to escape the sinking car, reportedly through a window, and swam to shore. However, she was unable to rescue her daughter. The family lives on a property overlooking the lake, a route they navigate daily, even in snowy conditions, typically with a 4x4 vehicle. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident is ongoing.

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I knew that if my lungs couldn't take it anymore, Fide was already dead. I also thought, in milliseconds, that I was going to have to live with that decision my whole life.