Joao Maria de Souza was sleeping beside his wife in Caratinga, in southeastern Brazil, when the asbestos roof of their house broke apart over them.
A cow weighing approximately one ton was grazing on a small hill directly above the house. At some point early Wednesday morning, it lost its balance, fell several meters, and crashed through the roof as if it were cardboard. The animal landed directly on Souza’s body. His wife, who was sleeping just centimeters away from him, was not injured.
According to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, Souza was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from internal bleeding caused by the animal’s weight. Authorities did not report any serious injuries to the cow, which became trapped among the debris of the collapsed roof.
