Two footballers have been killed and a woman has been left in a critical condition after their car smashed into the back of a lorry in a horror crash while travelling home from a match.
Victims named as goalkeeper and forward
Goalkeeper Jose Ignacio Moreno Fernandez, 28, known as Nacho Porte, and forward Carlos Alfonso Ramirez Guevara, 26, known as Charly, died after their car smashed into the back of a lorry. Both players were trapped in the mangled wreckage and died at the scene.
A 21-year-old woman travelling with them survived but was rushed to a private clinic in a critical condition. The tragedy happened on the Cuacnopalan–Oaxaca motorway near Palmar de Bravo in Puebla State, Mexico, in the early hours of Monday, September 28.
Crash details and emergency response
Nacho was driving the blue 2015 Ford Focus, with Charly in the passenger seat, when it struck the rear of a Freightliner flatbed lorry near kilometre one. Emergency crews battled to free the pair from the wreckage following the devastating impact.
Police said both men were well known across the regional football leagues of Puebla and neighbouring Tlaxcala, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Tributes and investigation
Nacho had previously risen through the youth ranks of prominent Mexican clubs and top flight sides Lobos BUAP and Pachuca. Grieving team-mates said the talented goalkeeper had also been due to represent the regional selection at the upcoming Telmex Cup.
Charly was a well-known forward on the amateur football scene across Puebla State. Tributes have poured in from clubs and members of the local football community following the deaths of the two players.
Forensic investigators are now working to establish the exact cause of the crash. Initial reports have suggested speed may have been a factor, but this has not been officially confirmed.
