Teenage goalkeeper, 17, tragically dies in local match in Argentina while celebrating saving a penalty
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A TEENAGE goalkeeper tragically died in Argentina as he went to celebrate after saving a penalty with his chest.
Ramon Ismael Coronel, 17, collapsed on the pitch before going into cardiac arrest in front of horrified fans and team-mates.
His team’s own supporters rushed him to hospital in the back of a pick-up truck because there was no ambulance at the scene, but he died on the way and efforts to revive him by medics when he reached the hospital were unsuccessful.
The tragedy happened around 9pm on Tuesday in a village near the city of Reconquista in the north of the province of Santa Fe.
Ramon, nicknamed Piki, was playing for his side Union de Golondrina in a match coinciding with an annual religious festival held in the area.
A cousin told local paper Reconquista Hoy: “He was over the moon because he saved the penalty and was celebrating when he fell to the ground.”
The goalie’s dad Eduardo Coronel said: “I can’t understand why there wasn’t an ambulance at an event like this.”
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The Regional Northern Football League, the league Union de Golondrina play in, said in a statement: “We confirm the death of Union de Golondrina player Ramon Ismael Coronel, aka Piki.
“Our thoughts are with his family and the club at this difficult time.”
Regional prosecutors have confirmed they have launched an investigation into the tragedy.
