An actor accidentally hung himself on stage when a reenactment went horribly wrong.
In 2016, Italian actor Raphael Schumacher was performing in a production at the Teatro Lux in Pisa when tragedy struck.
27-year-old Raphael had was performing a hanging scene when an audience member noticed that the rope was too tight.
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While the actor had a bag over his head at the time of the ordeal, the medical student watching the show became concerned when she saw him trembling.
Running to his aid with the help of another spectator, they were able to free Raphael from the noose and he was rushed to hospital.
He ended up in a coma as a result of the incident and was later declared clinically dead after a six-hour surgery.
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The hospital Raphael was treated at said in a statement at the time of the heartbreaking incident: "The family and the prosecutor’s office have both authorised that his organs be donated, but their removal will be subject to a medical assessment to be performed in the course of the night."
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Elsewhere, the theatre’s art director, Gabriele De Luca, told Daily Mail: "We are shocked. No one, not even us, understands how this happened and it will be up to the police to shed light on it."
Police launched an investigation following Raphael's untimely passing to try and establish whether proper safety procedures were in place.
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It was reported that the actor made changes to the scene at the last minute as the original monologue had a fake gunshot in it, but Raphael opted for a hanging scene instead without informing the directors, said CNN.
Police initially investigated the possibility of suicide, but ultimately moved on to investigating the theatre's safety standards.
At the time of the speculation, Raphael's mother dismissed any claims that her son took his own life.
"My son recently lost his father and had ended a relationship but had found his serenity again," she said, according to The Guardian.
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"He didn’t leave a suicide note and had no reason to kill himself."
Italian news agency ANSA had reported that four people were investigated for manslaughter in connection with the incident, but it's unclear if any arrests were made.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
Or, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Topics: News