Reports have confirmed that the tourist killed in a ski-slope chair-lift accident in Montenegro has been identified as Sebastian Hertner. The German footballer tragically died at the Savin Kuk ski resort
As per the Daily Mail, the 34-year-old was on holiday in the Durmitor mountain range last Saturday with his wife when the double chairlift they were riding became detached from its cable and collided with the seat behind it. Hertner, who is said to have fallen from the list, died at the scene.
His 30-year-old wife, who was riding with him, suffered a broken leg and had to be rescued by emergency services and taken for medical treatment, having been left trapped in the chair. At least three other tourists were also left stranded in their chairs for several hours before rescue teams were able to safely bring them down.
Hertner was a former defender who played professionally in Germany for a number of year, playing for VfB Stuttgart as a youth player, before featuring second division teams such as 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt in the second division.
As a youngster, he earned caps for Germany at U18 (14 caps) and U19 (5 caps) level, playing alongside future senior internationals, including Felix Kroos (brother of Toni), and World Cup winner Christoph Kramer. In 2024, he joined ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga, which is Germany's fifth tier, becoming club captain.
Montenegrin authorities ordered the immediate closure of the chairlift following the incident as prosecutors launched an investigation. A full technical inspection of the lift will be carried out, with an official cause yet to be confirmed.
ETSV Hamburg confirmed his death in a statement shared on Instagram, expressing just how saddened and shocked they were after losing their captain. In full, the post read:
"It is with great sadness that we have to announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner had a fatal accident while on holiday. We are stunned and endlessly saddened.
"Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Sebastian."
Stuttgart also shared a statement, which read: "VfB is mourning the loss of its former youth player Sebastian Hertner, who has tragically lost his life at the age of 34 in an accident. For seven years, Sebastian Hertner wore the shirt with the red chest ring and played 65 matches for VfB II in the 3. Liga. Our sympathies go to his family and loved ones."
Reporting reveals that mayor of Zabljak, Rados Zugic, stated that the incident was being treated with the utmost seriousness, stressing that visitor safety was essential in a region that relies heavily on tourism. He said: "We insist on a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine those responsible."
Even so, Serbian news outlet Blic, via Daily Mail, has reported that the ski lift had resumed operations just the following day.
- Hal Fish
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