Violetta Gorynya, a pediatrician and palliative care doctor at the Moscow children’s hospice “House with a Lighthouse,” has died in the bridge collapse in the Bryansk region. The 32-year-old was traveling with her family when the tragedy occurred.

The charitable foundation “House with a Lighthouse” has expressed its condolences and shared details about Violetta’s life and work. According to Lidia Moniava, the founder of the Foundation, Violetta had worked at the hospice since 2020 and was recently on maternity leave.

Violetta’s five-month-old baby sustained severe injuries in the collapse and was transported to Moscow by helicopter. Her husband, Pavel Gorynya, who also works as a doctor, was on the top bunk of the train and was largely unharmed. The couple’s oldest child, age seven, was also traveling with them. The family was traveling to visit Pavel’s relatives in the city of Klintsy, Bryansk region for the weekend.

Colleagues and patients’ parents remember Violetta as a bright, caring, and energetic person who was dedicated to helping terminally ill children and their families. Grigory Klimov, the chief physician of the hospice, described her as an “angel” for the families she supported, providing pain relief and emotional support during difficult times. He noted that she could manage up to 50 such children simultaneously.

Violetta’s colleagues also highlighted her professionalism and dedication to her patients. Dina Shagalova, the deputy chief physician of the hospice, noted that Violetta was always an advocate for her patients and was interested in furthering her education in psychology and developmental disorders before going on maternity leave.

The tragedy occurred when a train derailed in the Bryansk region due to a bridge collapse, resulting in seven fatalities and over 70 injuries. A reserve train arrived at the Kievsky railway station in Moscow with passengers from the derailed train.