Inter Milan’s second-choice goalkeeper Josep Martinez is believed to have killed an 81-year-old man in a car accident on Tuesday morning, according to reports in Italy.
The Spaniard was reportedly driving to training shortly before 10am when he was involved in the accident in Fenegro, not far from Inter’s training ground near the commune of Appiano Gentile.
The man died at the scene despite the immediate efforts of emergency services, with an ambulance, a helicopter, and the Italian police – the Carabinieri – dispatched to the scene.
The Carabinieri are investigating the incident, with early reports suggesting that the elderly man may have suffered a medical emergency that had caused his motorised wheelchair to veer into the path of Martinez.
Police will continue to investigate the accident, and Martinez is thought to be cooperating with the authorities.
The 27-year-old is said to be deeply shaken by the incident, but otherwise unharmed.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez has accidentally struck and killed an elderly man in a car accident
The 27-year-old was driving to the club’s training ground outside of Milan at Appiano Gentile
In the wake of the tragedy, Inter’s manager Christian Chivu’s press conference ahead of the club’s Serie A contest against Fiorentina – which was scheduled for 2pm on Tuesday afternoon has since been cancelled.
Since his arrival at the club at the start of last season, Martinez has made 12 appearances across all competitions for the Milanese side, keeping seven clean sheets.
Martinez previously turned out for Genoa, RB Leipzig, and Las Palmas.
The Spain international, who has earned one cap during his senior career, was able to step up for his club when No 1 Yann Sommer fractured his thumb in February.
This season, as Chivu mulls Sommer’s standing in the squad, Martinez has featured in two of their eight Serie A matches.
