By Selena Hill (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Mar 23, 2013 12:29 PM EDT
Tags Alabama

The end of a vacation ended in tragedy for a family of four travelling at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama.

The Bresette family was heading back home to Kansas from a Florida beach getaway when their 10-year-old son Luke was killed after a large flight display board toppled over.  The three other family members were also injured.

Deputy Coroner Derrick Perryman said Luke Bresette was pronounced dead at Children's University Hospital of Alabama. His two siblings also received treatment for their injuries, but spokeswoman Nicole Wyatt said their mother, Heather Bresette, is currently in critical condition at the University Hospital.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, only weeks after the flight terminal reopened after a $201 million remodeling.

Firefighters estimated the arrival-departure sign weighed 300 to 400 pounds.

Albert Osorio, 46, of Birmingham told al.com that he heard a loud boom followed by screams from the family and witnesses when the sign fell down. Then he and five other passers-by lifted off the sign.

"The whole thing flipped down on those kids. It took all of us here to stand it up," he said.

Orsorio said that from what he saw, the sign appeared to be attached to the wall "only with liquid nails," which is a caulking-like substance similar to heavy duty hot glue.

Airport spokeswoman Toni Herrera-Bast said she couldn't confirm how the sign was mounted to the wall.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell released a statement Friday addressing the incident and investigation saying, "I have asked our public safety staff to assist this family in their time of need in any way possible as they grapple with what has happened."

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