A footballer has tragically died after a shard of glass from a shattered shop window pierced his stomach. Ernest Queralt, 38, was fatally injured in a freak accident that is still under investigation by the police, who have ruled out any foul play. The futsal player with a Catalan team was rushed to hospital in Tarragona, Spain, from the scene in nearby Reus but sadly passed away shortly after arrival.
News of the horrific incident first broke on Sunday, but it wasn’t until later that it was revealed he was a well-known footballer in the area. The tragedy occurred just before 7am on Saturday in a street leading to the old market square in Reus. Ernest, affectionately known as Nestu, was unconscious when he was taken to Tarragona’s Joan XXIII Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Queralt was fatally injured after accidentally falling against the window of a bookstore and smashing the glass.
Tecnovit Alforja, the team in Alforja near Reus which he captained and helped establish, paid tribute online after cancelling games out of respect: “We regret to announce that yesterday Ernest, our ‘Nestu’, left us. “We have no words to describe how we feel today and the void he leaves among us all.
“Founder, player, coach, coordinator, captain, but above all, a fan of this crest, this town, and these colours.
“We will continue to instil your values, dedication, commitment, camaraderie, competitiveness in our players, and through them we will keep your memory and legacy alive, which, like you, will be eternal. Always yours, rest in peace, friend. We love you.”
The statement revealed that a wake was scheduled to commence this afternoon and run through until tomorrow afternoon, ahead of his burial at a church in Alforja.
Following the funeral service, a dance has been arranged at a council-operated sports pavilion where he competed in his home fixtures, allowing family, friends and his club to bid him a final farewell.
The Catalan Football Federation also voiced its grief in a statement: “Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the Technovit Alforja FS first-team captain and player, who has left us aged just 38.”
One supporter of the club wrote on social media: “A star of our sport has gone. Fly high captain and carry on taking care of those close to you from Heaven.”
A further tribute read: “An enormous hug wherever you are Ernest. And another one to your family. A great guy, a really nice person to talk to and to be with.”