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AN ITALIAN MAN was crushed to death by a giant crucifix honouring John Paul II that collapsed during a ceremony ahead of the late Pope’s canonisation.
A piece of the 30-metre high wooden cross fell during the event near an Alpine village, killing the young man on the spot, Italian media reported.
The Jesus Christ statue on the cross is six metres high and weighs 600 kg and the crucifix was curved and fixed to the ground with cables, the reports said.
The victim’s age was given at 20 or 21 years old.
The cross was designed by sculptor Enrico Job and was created for John Paul II’s visit to Brescia in the Lombardy region in northern Italy in 1998.
It was taken down, held in storage and then installed in a picturesque spot near the village of Cevo in 2005.
The unusual shape of the crucifix was intended to represent the scars of World War II.
John Paul II is to be declared a saint in the Vatican on Sunday, along with Italian pope John XXIII.
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Rest in peace
I used to go to the Harcourt Hotel on a Sunday night to see Paddy Cole perform and sometimes Ronan Collins would be there performing with him as well , those were the good auld days , RIP Paddy fantastic musician and singer as well
@Sean Fox: great musician but singing was NOT his forte. He once quoted a friend who claimed “he couldn’t sing and had the records to prove it”!!!
RIP Paddy. A fantastic musician and performer that I had the pleasure to see and meet with on occasion. A true gentleman on top who always had time for a chat after a show. Sad to hear of your passing. Rest in eternal peace
Rest in peace Paddy
Loved his radio show on a Sunday morning, he’ll be missed, RIP Paddy.
My Wife & I had our first date at the Harcourt Hotel where Paddy & his Jazzmen played.Never forgotten. R.I.P.
R.I.P Mr. Cole…loved your sunshine radio show every Sunday morning….hope they keep it going…your a legend….condolences to all his family…
RIP Paddy
O’Neill Tractors
RIP Paddy and thank you.
RIP Paddy.
Mister Happiness has departed! RIP!
Rest in peace. A truly wonderful musician and showman
A wonderful character, RIP Paddy
A real Star. Fab musician and his radio show was always entertaining. Rest in peace Paddy.
My first Harmonica came with an instruction booklet by Paddy Cole on how to play the thing with basic old timey tunes.
@Terry o donnell: are you sure that wasn’t Don Baker?
@Terry o donnell: that was Don Baker. Good book!
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