A FIVE-year-old boy has died after being buried alive under 5ft of mud while playing with another child – who narrowly escaped.

Gael Bernardo Pereira Gomes had been playing inside a construction ditch in Brazil when the earth above him suddenly collapsed.

Gael Bernardo Pereira Gomes was buried alive under a barrage of mud

Firemen desperately clawing at the earth at the scene of the tragedy in Brazil

The children were playing in a 6.5ft hole that has been created for a water storage pond.

Two young children had chosen the spot to play some games – but the ground was wet and unstable from previous storms.

Suddenly the earth began to slide and crash down on the children.

Gael’s friend managed to escape the terrifying barrage of mud but the little boy was trapped for around 40 minutes.

Firefighters scrambled to the scene and dug through the mound with shovels, hoes and their bare heands to reach him.

Using heavy machinery would have been faster – but fire service sergeant Douglas Arcanjo Dias said this risked further collapse.

After around 20 minutes of desperate digging, the rescue team found Gael at a depth of between 3.3 and 4.9 feet of earth.

The youngster was pulled out unconscious.

Gael had been playing with a friend when the earth gave way

The rescue teams were unable to save the little boy

He was in cardiac arrest and emegency crews spent around one hour trying to resucitate him.

Tragically, Gael was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The whole team gave everything they could”, said Dias of the rescue effort.

The fire chief added: “Even with the physical exhaustion, we kept going and did not stop at any point.

“When it involves a child, it affects us a little more and we give even more of ourselves.”

In a heartbreaking admission, he said: “When we cannot save them, it weighs on us.”

The boy attended Serra dos Dourados Municipal School.

The regional education deprtment confirmed his identity and paid their tribute to their loss of the young pupil.

The said: “At this time of profound pain and sorrow, the education department and the entire school community unite in prayer and solidarity with the family, wishing them strength and comfort to face this irreparable loss.”

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/17053463/boy-dies-buried-alive-mud/