A 16-year-old boy tragically passed away shortly after consuming ice cream with his friends. Adriano D’Orsi and his companions made a quick stop at their usual ice cream parlor on their way back home after a night out on Saturday, May 16. The teenager began displaying severe respiratory symptoms after having a few bites of gelato. Seeking help urgently, he was rushed by his friends to his father Mauro D’Orsi’s residence.
In a desperate attempt to save his son, the father administered cortisone, a medication used to alleviate allergy symptoms, but unfortunately, it proved ineffective. By the time emergency services arrived in Casoria, Italy, Adriano was unconscious, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
Adriano, who had a severe allergy to milk proteins, experienced anaphylactic shock. His family mentioned that he was always cautious about avoiding milk products in his diet. Although the 16-year-old reportedly consumed dairy-free fruit ice cream, there might have been traces of milk present, possibly from the serving scoop or the ice cream machine.
His mother, Antonietta Esposito, shared with local media that Adriano had unexplained health episodes since childhood, leading to the discovery of his allergy through tests. Despite this, he was meticulous in reading food labels before consumption and rarely made mistakes.
The ice cream shop staff were reportedly aware of Adriano’s lactose intolerance and guided him towards lactose-free options, but he remained vigilant in checking labels himself. Authorities have confiscated multiple tubs of ice cream from the gelateria for investigation purposes. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of Adriano’s death. He was a third-year student at the nautical institute in Bagnoli and aspired to become a ship captain.
Antonietta emotionally honored her son, expressing his ambitions and the void left by his untimely passing. She described Adriano as a remarkable and cherished son, reminiscing on the dreams they shared for the future.