TRIBUTES have been paid to a Spanish basketball player killed after being hit by a train as he headed to team practice.
Nicolas Ramirez Perez, 22, was transferred in a critical condition to hospital after the high-speed passenger train with more than 100 people on board struck him at a rural station near the northern city of Zaragoza. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival on Monday evening.
His club CB Octavus de Utebo announced after his death it was suspending all its league matches scheduled for this weekend.
The Zaragoza-based club said in a statement yesterday: “In the light of the great loss suffered and as a sign of mourning for the tragic event that occurred yesterday, all league matches scheduled for this weekend have been suspended.
“Most of today’s training sessions have also been suspended.
“From the large family that makes up Octavus Basketball Club, we would like to convey our support and deepest condolences for this great loss for the family and friends of Nico. A big hug.”
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A spokesman said in a separate Instagram post: “Life is sometimes so unfair that it is impossible to understand why things happen.
“We are shocked, saddened, angry at fate. It wasn’t your time…
“We will miss you, N. You will always be part of this club.”
The regional Aragon Basketball Federation said in its own statement: “We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Nicolas Ramirez Perez following his death.
“He had spent five years playing for his club. A big hug to everyone. Rest in peace.”
The incident that led to the Pamplona-born basketball player’s death occurred in a station called Casetas, just over 10 miles from Zaragoza where Nicolas was taken to hospital.
He was crossing the tracks in the rural area where he was struck by the train, which wasn’t due to stop at the station. He had just got off another train at the station when he was hit.
The basketball club’s secretary Enrique Peiro confirmed the youngster was on his way to training when he was killed.
A police investigation into the incident was ongoing today. A local mayor said safety needed to be improved at the station, claiming an official crossing was “poorly illuminated.”