Illinois Toddler Dies After Temporary Steel Walls Collapse On Her At A Shopping Mall

A 2-year-old girl died Tuesday after a display structure fell on her at an Illinois shopping mall store. The toddler has been identified as Alexandra Martinez of Harvey, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Martinez had been playing with other children while her aunt and grandmother were shopping at Akira at the Orland Square Mall. While the aunt and grandmother were in the woman's clothing store, Martinez and at least one other child were near two temporary steel walls, which weighed up to 100 pounds. The walls fell onto Martinez, causing a serious head injury, according to a spokesperson for the Orland Fire Protection District.

Police have reportedly seen a store video and spoken to a witness.

"We cannot conclude at this time if one of the children may have pushed over one of the dividers," Orland Park Chief of Police Timothy McCarthy told local media.

After falling on the girl, some witnesses stepped in to try, which included a doctor and a nurse. Orland Park police and paramedics arrived a little before 2 p.m. and continued treating the girl on the scene. Martinez was then rushed to Christ Medical Center in nearby Oak Lawn, where she died from her injuries.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the child,” a spokesperson for the mall said in a statement. “Questions regarding this tragic accident should be directed to Akira or to the Orland Park Police Department, which is conducting an investigation and can answer questions.”

Orland Park police are currently investigating the accident.