Sympathy messages for the parents of a Winnipeg-born toddler who fell to his death at Pearson Airport were pouring into a Facebook site yesterday.

"Little boy, our prayers go out to your entire family," one man wrote.

"What a horrible tragedy! My deepest sympathies to the Romano family! RIP little Lucca," a woman added.

In what police are calling a freak accident, 15-month-old Lucca Romano plummeted out of his mother's arms and from the upper departure level at the airport's Terminal One down two storeys to the floor on the arrivals level.

"It breaks my heart knowing what pain you must be in today," wrote a Facebooker who said he lost his 14-month-old son last year.

"I hope you can find peace and forgiveness in God's love," a fourth wrote.

Family friend Guillermo Bellido told media yesterday cash donations can be made in person at any TD Canada Trust Branch in Canada under the family's name and account #6977-6326978. Cheques can be mailed to TD Canada Trust Vista Place, 1631 St. Mary's Rd., Winnipeg, R2N 1Z4, and should be made out to "Guillermo Bellido in trust for The Romanos."

The fund will help the family with funeral and travel expenses as they plan to bury Lucca in Argentina. The family had immigrated to Canada 10 years ago from the South American country.

Police said Veronica was holding Lucca in her arms when she was distracted by his older brother. She then lost her grip on the wriggling toddler and he fell over a 1.3-metre barrier and down to the lower level, sustaining serious injuries. The youngster was rushed to hospital but died late Sunday night.

Lucca, his parents Flavio and Veronica and his brother Massimo, 4, had just 10 days ago moved from St. Vital to Burlington, Ont., to be closer to Veronica's brother. When the accident occurred, the family was on its way to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Lucca was to be baptized and the family was to take a vacation.

Shocked airport employees were offered guidance from several Pearson pastors and grief counsellors brought in after the tragedy.

Senior chaplain Bryan Fox said there is "a lot of despair" among people who witnessed or heard of Lucca's death.

"It's going to take a long time," he said of the couple's recovery. "They"ll never get over it, but with help, I hope they can get through it."