Three‑Year‑Old Dies After Falling Through Open AC Shaft in Ghaziabad Flat

A three‑year‑old boy died after falling through an open air‑conditioner shaft on the 17th floor of his Ghaziabad flat. The incident occurred at about 8.30 pm on Sunday in a high‑rise building next to National Highway‑9 near Wave City. Police said the child entered the shaft because the air‑conditioner was under repair and the opening had not been sealed. The boy, who lived in a rented flat with his family, was playing when he slipped through the gap near the floor and dropped to the ground level. Guards and other residents heard a loud thump, rushed to the spot and alerted his family. Neighbours and the boy’s parents carried him to the nearest hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Police received a memo from the hospital around 9 pm and a response team arrived shortly after. The father, identified as a businessman, and the family have not lodged a formal complaint and have refused an autopsy. SHO Shailendra Singh of Wave City police station said the vent was unusually low, unlike typical installations that sit high on walls, and said the investigation will continue. The family remains in shock, and officials have limited interaction with them for the same reason.

Context

Open vents left unprotected during repairs pose a serious risk, especially in high‑rise apartments where a fall can be fatal. Proper sealing and child‑proof barriers are essential safety measures during any appliance maintenance.