Italy is grieving the tragic loss of 15-year-old figure skater Matilda Ferrari, a promising young athlete whose life was cut short in a traffic accident on her way to school.
The accident happened in Giustino, a small town in Trentino in the Italian Alps. Matilda was crossing the road to catch her morning bus when she was struck by a cement truck. Despite the swift arrival of emergency crews, she died at the scene. Initial reports suggest the truck driver was proceeding on a green light when the collision occurred.
Matilda had been walking with two classmates, headed to Tione for school as she did every day. The road where the tragedy took place is a busy, well-traveled route, already known for previous near-misses, raising fresh concerns about the safety of daily student commutes.
“This is a terrible tragedy that leaves us without words. No one should lose their life on the way to school,” said Giustino’s mayor, Manuel Cosi, reflecting the sorrow shared throughout the community.
Beyond her studies, Matilda was celebrated as one of Italy’s most promising young figure skaters. A dedicated member of Sporting Ghiaccio Art Pinzolo, she trained tirelessly and had recently overcome a knee injury to achieve remarkable progress. At the close of 2024, she earned third place in the Italian Cup final—an achievement that signaled a bright future in the sport. Following the heartbreaking news, her skating club posted a somber black-and-white photo of her, writing that they could not imagine the rink without her presence.
Tributes have since poured in across social media. Many mourners expressed sorrow for the young girl’s untimely death, while others voiced frustration over dangerous roads: “Too many reckless drivers,” one comment read.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the precise causes of the crash, including whether mechanical problems or visibility issues contributed. What is certain is that the location has long been seen as hazardous, and the incident has reignited debate on how to ensure safer school routes.
Friends, teachers, and neighbors remember Matilda as a bright, disciplined young woman filled with ambition and dreams. Her passing leaves a deep emptiness—not only in Italian figure skating but also in the lives of everyone who knew her. As Mayor Cosi poignantly said, Giustino has “lost a star.”
