A former Germany youth international footballer has died in a skiing accident in Montenegro.
Sebastian Hertner died after plunging from a chairlift at the Savin Kuk ski resort near Zabljak as his wife watched on and also suffered injuries, according to the Mirror.
The 34-year-old was reportedly in a double chairlift when it detached from its cable and collided with the seat behind. This caused Hertner to fall from the lift before he died at the scene on Saturday (December 20).
His wife suffered a broken leg, but she was rescued by emergency services.
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Reports suggest three other tourists were also left stranded in their chairs for several hours before rescue crews brought them to safety.
Montenegro-born Hertner, who played mostly as a centre-back, represented several German clubs, including 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue, Darmstadt 98, and, most recently, fifth-tier side ESTV Hamburg, who he captained.
The defender also featured for Germany at Under-18 and Under-19 levels between 2008 and 2009.
Montenegrin authorities have closed the chairlift following the incident as prosecutors carry out an investigation, as reported by the Mail.
No official cause had been confirmed on Sunday (December 21), with officials stating that a full technical inspection of the lift would be carried out to establish the cause.
Following the tragic news, ESTV released a statement on their website, which read: “It is with great sadness that we announce today that our captain, Sebastian Hertner, has died in a tragic accident while on holiday.
“We are stunned and incredibly sad. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sebastian.”
Stuttgart, the club Hertner represented at academy level, also released a touching tribute.
"VfB Stuttgart mourns the loss of its former youth player Sebastian Hertner, who died in a tragic accident at the age of 34,” read a statement posted to the club’s academy account.
“Sebastian Hertner wore the jersey with the red chest band for seven years and played 65 games for VfB II in the 3. Liga. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones."
Luke Davies