Two promising young footballers have been tragically killed in a car crash inferno, with one of the victims buried in a coffin adorned with his club's colours. Pietro Borsini, 19, was one of four young men in an Opel that collided head-on with a Fiat Punto in the early hours of Sunday, June 14. He died from his injuries in hospital the following day.
Details of the Crash
The crash occurred on the Aspio road stretch, just outside the Italian port city of Ancona. The driver, fellow footballer Davide Paglialunga, 21, was killed instantly. The wreckage burst into flames, trapping passengers who had to be rescued as the fire spread. Two other friends, Lorenzo Marrone and Mattia Lucesoli, both 21, survived with injuries. The 31-year-old Punto driver was also injured. Three men stopped at the scene to raise the alarm and help pull people out of the burning wreckage.
Lorenzo said afterwards: "I am only alive today because of those brave guys managed to pull me out of the raging flames." He attended the victims' funerals from a stretcher.
Funeral and Tributes
More than 1,000 mourners packed the church of San Biagio in Osimo for Pietro's funeral on June 18. Many wore black T-shirts honouring the "fallen ultras", while scarves from San Biagio and Ancona were laid on the coffin. Pietro, a passionate midfielder known for his grit and leadership as junior captain, worked in his family's carpentry business alongside his father Roberto. He played for ASD San Biagio in Italy's Marche region.
Team-mates remembered him as "an indomitable angel" with "clear, icy eyes". In a heartfelt club letter read at the service, they wrote: "You were the future, the mission, the identity." His mother Federica told the congregation her son would live on through his organ donation. The hearse processed to the local football pitch, where the coffin was carried onto the field by ultras for a final tribute on the turf he loved.
Osimo mayor Michela Glorio proclaimed a period of mourning and said a "veil of sadness" had fallen over the community. Archbishop Angelo Spina led the service as friends, family, and representatives from rival ultras groups paid their respects.
Victim Profiles
Davide Paglialunga was a central midfielder for SSD Jesina Calcio in the Eccellenza league. The 21-year-old made 25 appearances for the club last season, and bosses had recently confirmed his renewal for the next campaign. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
