A day of celebration began with mourning. A 55-year-old woman from Sarroch, Elena Siddi, died after being struck suddenly ill while wearing her traditional dress, walking to the folk group's meeting point.
The tragedy occurred on Via Santa Margherita, near Piazza Yenne: the woman was in the car with her husband Matteo Etzi, cartwrights for the festival.
Rescue efforts were immediate, thanks in part to the impressive medical system set up for the celebration. The first resuscitation attempts were carried out by the Civil Protection Department. Two ambulances, coordinated by I Sardi Soccorso, and a Mike from Areus arrived shortly afterward.
The operators activated all procedures to try to keep the woman alive and tried for 45 minutes. Unfortunately, all efforts were in vain.
The news has shocked the entire community of Sarroch, where all civic events related to the festival have been cancelled.
