BABAHOYO, ECUADOR – In a shocking turn of events, mourners attending a wake in the city of Babahoyo, Ecuador, were left stunned when the supposedly deceased woman began banging on the inside of her coffin. Bella Montoya, 76, unexpectedly regained consciousness during the vigil, creating a scene of disbelief and confusion among her loved ones.
A Startling Discovery:
The remarkable incident unfolded on Friday during the wake held for Montoya. Astonishing video footage captured the moment when medics rushed to attend to the elderly woman after her family realized she was still alive. The footage clearly shows Montoya breathing as she is carefully removed from the casket and placed onto a stretcher.
Gilbert Balberán, Montoya’s son, recounted the startling events to local media, expressing his disbelief. He stated, “Her left hand was hitting the side of the coffin, and it was shaking.” Balberán further revealed that the wake had taken place a mere four hours after Montoya had been declared dead, complete with a death certificate issued by a medical examiner.
Cause of Death and a Misdiagnosis:
According to the death certificate, Montoya’s cause of death was listed as cardiorespiratory arrest. Balberán explained that the episode of cardiorespiratory arrest had induced catalepsy in his mother—a trance-like state characterized by the rigidity of the body, reduced sensitivity to pain, and slowed bodily functions, including breathing. The hospital staff, assuming she had passed away, had thus mistakenly confirmed her death.
A Miraculous Turn of Events:
Fortunately, Montoya’s unexpected awakening led to her immediate transfer to the hospital that had previously declared her deceased. Balberán provided an update on her condition, stating, “My mother is on oxygen. Her heart is stable.” He expressed hope as he shared, “The doctor squeezed her hand, and she reacted. They tell me this is a good sign because it means she is reacting little by little.”
Gratitude and Seeking Answers:
While Balberán referred to the incident as a “miracle from God,” he admitted that he is still trying to comprehend the extraordinary turn of events. In response to the erroneous death certificate, Ecuador’s Ministry of Health has assigned a technical team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine how such an error occurred.
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A Familiar Tale of Life Amidst Death:
This occurrence is not the first time that someone has been mistakenly declared dead at their own funeral. Just last year, in a similar incident, the family of a 3-year-old Mexican girl was shocked to find condensation forming on the glass window of her coffin during a funeral viewing. Subsequent checks for a pulse revealed that the young girl was indeed alive, although she tragically passed away later in the hospital.
Looking Forward to Recovery:
As Bella Montoya continues her recovery under medical care, her son remains hopeful for her improvement and ultimate return to a healthy state. “Now, I only ask that my mother’s health improves,” Balberán said. “I want her alive and by my side.”
Although the circumstances leading to Montoya’s premature declaration of death are currently under investigation, this astonishing event serves as a reminder that sometimes, miracles can happen when least expected.
