MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating after a teen suffered a fatal fall from the balcony of an apartment building in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach Police and Fire Rescue units were called to the scene at La Costa condominium, located along 53rd Street and Collins Avenue, just before 8 p.m., Tuesday.
Officials said 15-year-old Samuel Farkas was locked out of his apartment and tried to climb down onto his balcony from the unit above, but he lost his grip and fell from the ninth story.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Farkas was a sophomore at the Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach.
Administrators at the school notified students to offer condolences and counseling services.
The school posted a message to students on their Facebook page.
Wednesday would have been his 16th birthday.
7News cameras captured several marked police cruisers and a Crime Scene Unit van parked outside of the building.
Residents and tourists in the area gathered to see what was going on.
“Oh man, wow,” said Pierpaolo Brandolini, who lives nearby. “What about the parents?”
“The police, the firemen, the rescue team,” said Gabrela Reiaartes who is visiting from Argentina. “We were wondering what happened. It’s really sad, and I’m really sorry for that.”
Hours later, devastated family and friends arrived at the building.
The teen’s grieving father took to social media to speak out about the tragedy:
“This is unfortunately about my son, the light of my life, Samuel L. Farkas (Sam Farkas). A part of me is gone and will never be back. The anguish and suffering I feel is beyond words. He was a special kid with tremendous love and happiness and I will miss him every second of the rest of my life.”
No foul play was suspected.
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