German Soccer Star Dies at 34 After Falling from Ski Lift

Sebastian Hertner.
Credit :

Alexandra Beier/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The individual who died in a ski lift accident in Montenegro on December 21 has been identified as German soccer player Sebastian Hertner.
• His club, ESTV Hamburg, honored their 34-year-old captain, describing him as a “dedicated player” and “valued person” who was “taken from us far too soon.”
• Hertner’s 30-year-old wife sustained injuries in the incident at the Savin Kuk ski resort, according to multiple reports.

The tragic accident claimed the life of a 34-year-old man who fell 230 feet from a lift at a ski resort in Montenegro. This individual has been identified as Sebastian Hertner, a well-known German soccer star.

The incident occurred on Sunday, December 21, when two double chairlifts collided at Savin Kuk ski resort, located near Žabljak in the Durmitor Mountains. Reports indicate that Hertner’s wife was also seriously injured during the incident.

According to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Hertner, who had also played for Germany’s under-19 national team, succumbed to his injuries. His passing was reported by the German newspaper Die Zeit.

ESTV Hamburg issued a heartfelt tribute on their website on December 23, mourning the loss of their captain. “The board of ESTV Hamburg bids a deeply saddened farewell to our club member and player Sebastian Hertner, who was taken from us far too soon,” the translated statement read. “With him, we lose not only a dedicated player, but also a valued person who enriched our club through his conduct, commitment, and camaraderie.”

“His contributions and his personality will always be remembered with honor,” the tribute continued. “Our sincere condolences go out to his family, relatives, and all his friends and companions. Our thoughts are with them during these difficult hours.”

Sebastian Hertner playing in 2021.

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Additionally, a post on the club’s social media featured a black-and-white photograph of Hertner with the caption, “ESTV mourns the loss of Sebastian Hertner.”

Hertner’s death was officially announced by his club in a statement, which expressed profound sadness over the loss. “It is with great sadness that we announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner has died in a tragic accident while on holiday,” the statement read. “We are stunned and incredibly sad. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sebastian.”

In addition to his contributions to the German national team, Hertner played in the second division for teams such as 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue, and Darmstadt.

Hertner’s wife, who was riding with him, suffered a broken leg during the incident and was taken to a local hospital, as reported by German newspaper Bild.

A ski lift in the resort of Savin Kuk in Montenegro.

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Reports from German outlet Die Frankfurter Rundschau and Montenegrin newspapers indicate that the collision of the chairlifts led to Hertner’s fall. Local authorities have since shut down the lift to facilitate a preliminary investigation, which left at least three other tourists stranded for hours until their evacuation.

Žabljak in Montenegro.

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The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. Rados Zugic, the mayor of Žabljak, emphasized the need for a thorough and transparent inquiry to determine accountability.

Both Zugic and the tourism office of Žabljak have yet to respond to requests for further comments regarding the incident.