Dramatic death on the pitch during a football match in the second provincial division of Belgium , in Sint-Eloois-Winkel , West Flanders.
Goalkeeper dies on the pitch, the tragedy in Belgium
The episode was reported by the Belgian portal HLN . The victim is Arne Espeel , a 25-year-old goalkeeper from the Winkel Sport B team who was playing his match at Ter Schuerenpark against SK Westrozebeke.
At the start of the second half, with the score at 2-1, Espeel 's team awarded a penalty , which the goalkeeper saved . Immediately after celebrating the save, the goalkeeper felt ill and collapsed to the ground.
The players on the field immediately realized the seriousness of the situation, calling loudly for help for cardiopulmonary resuscitation while the referee suspended the game. But there was nothing that could be done.
“He was a healthy young man and had no health problems”
"Winkel Sport is in deep mourning over the sudden death of B-team goalkeeper Arne Espeel ," the club said in a statement. " We extend our deepest condolences to Arne's family and friends for this great loss."
Dramatic background: HLN reports that Arne's parents and brother, a colleague who was sitting on the bench, were also present at the game. "He was a very healthy young man ," they say, "and had no previous health problems ." An autopsy will be needed to determine the exact circumstances of his death.
