A former professional footballer has died in a tragic accident. His name was Sebastian Hertner. He was 34 years old. He died in a skiing accident in Montenegro. The accident happened on Saturday, December 20.
He was at the Savin Kuk ski resort. He was with his wife on a chairlift. The chairlift detached from its cable. It hit the seat behind them. Hertner fell from the lift. He died at the scene.
His wife was also in the accident. She suffered a broken leg. Emergency services rescued her. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Three other tourists were also on the lift. They were stranded for several hours. Rescue crews finally brought them down safely.
Who Was Sebastian Hertner?
Sebastian Hertner was a German footballer. He was born in Montenegro. He played mostly as a defender.
He played for several German clubs. These included 1860 Munich and Darmstadt 98. His most recent team was ESTV Hamburg. He was the captain of this fifth-tier club.
He also played for Germany’s youth national teams. He played for the Under-18 and Under-19 sides in 2008 and 2009.
The Aftermath and Tributes
Montenegrin authorities closed the chairlift after the accident. Prosecutors are investigating the cause. A full technical inspection of the lift will be done. The official cause is not yet confirmed.
His club, ESTV Hamburg, posted a sad statement on their website. They said they were stunned and incredibly sad. They sent their deepest sympathies to his family.
The club he played for as a youth, VfB Stuttgart, also paid tribute. He played for their youth team for seven years. He played 65 games for their second team. They also sent their condolences to his family.
What We Know About His Wife
The reports name her as his wife. She was with him during the accident. She saw the tragic event happen. She broke her leg but survived. Her name has not been publicly shared. She is now recovering from her injuries.
