Montenegro Chairlift Fall: Ex-Pro Footballer Dies

It was on Sunday that Rados Zugic, the mayor of the municipality of Zabljak in Montenegro, confirmed the news of the death of a German vacationer. The victim’s wife was injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday. As has now become known, according to “Bild”, the fatality is the former professional soccer player Sebastian Hertner. He played in the second division for 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt 98. Most recently he was active in the Oberliga as captain for ETSV Hamburg.

The ETSV announced on Instagram on Tuesday. “It is with great sadness that we have to announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner has had a fatal accident while on vacation. We are stunned and infinitely sad. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Sebastian.”

As the Tag24 portal reported, there was a malfunction in the chairlift in the Savin Kuk ski resort near Zabljak in Montenegro’s Durmitor Mountains, which Hertner and his wife were taking to the top. A gondola suddenly slipped backwards and hit the double chair behind it, causing Hertner to be thrown out of his seat and fall 70 meters into the depths. His wife was trapped between the gondolas. She survived seriously injured.

Other holidaymakers were stuck for hours

The investigating public prosecutor ordered the chairlift system to be stopped immediately after the accident. At least three other vacationers were stuck in their chairs for several hours. Rescue workers finally brought them to safety.

Hertner was also a German U18 and U19 national player and played together with Christoph Kramer, the 2014 world champion, among others.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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