The football world is in mourning following the tragic death of former German professional defender Sebastian Hertner, who lost his life in a horrific accident at a ski resort in Montenegro.
The 34-year-old, who was vacationing with his family, died at the scene after falling from a malfunctioning chairlift at the Savin Kuk resort near the mountain town of Žabljak.
According to preliminary reports from the scene, the tragedy occurred when a double chairlift suddenly became detached from its cable, causing it to slide and collide with the seat immediately behind it.
The force of the impact caused Hertner to plunge from the lift. While the former athlete did not survive the fall, his 30-year-old wife, who was riding alongside him, remained trapped in the wreckage.
She was eventually rescued by emergency services and transported to a medical facility for treatment of a broken leg.
The malfunction left the resort in a state of chaos, with at least three other tourists stranded in mid-air for several hours as rescue teams worked through difficult conditions to bring them down safely.
Following the fatal incident, Montenegrin authorities ordered the immediate closure of the Savin Kuk chairlift as state prosecutors launched a full-scale investigation into the mechanical failure.
Hertner’s current club, ETSV Hamburg, confirmed the devastating news in a somber statement shared on social media. “It is with great sadness that we announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner has died in a tragic accident while on holiday,” the club wrote.
“We are stunned and incredibly sad. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sebastian.”
A well-known figure in German football, Hertner enjoyed a successful professional career, featuring prominently in the 2. Bundesliga for clubs such as 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue, and Darmstadt. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the captain of ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the sporting community as fans and former teammates remember the defender for his leadership and character both on and off the pitch.