A MAN who died in a horror ski-lift crash in Montenegro has been revealed as a former professional footballer.
The victim, identified as Sebastian Hertner, 34, once competed on Germany’s second division team.
Hertner’s chair at Savin Kuk ski resort suddenly slid 230ft backwards, smashing into the seat behind and trapping his wife.
He fell 225ft from the chairlift and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The horror struck on Sunday afternoon during what was meant to be a relaxing couples’ holiday in the Durmitor Mountains.
In a heart-breaking Instagram post, the club mourned his death.
They wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner has died in a tragic accident while on holiday. We are stunned and incredibly sad. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sebastian”
His wife, aged 30, survived the ordeal but was left badly injured and traumatised.
She was trapped in the malfunctioning lift for hours before emergency crews managed to reach her.
Rescuers later confirmed she had suffered a broken leg.
The resort has just 4.7 kilometres of slopes, sitting at an altitude between 1,515 and 2,212 metres.
According to reports, the couple were riding a double chairlift when disaster struck at around 1pm.
One of the chairs is believed to have come loose from the cable.
It then slid violently backwards along the rope and the runaway chair slammed into the seat behind it.
Hertner fell from the lift during the collision, plunging to his death.
Local officials said several passengers were left stranded high above the ground.
At least three other tourists were trapped in their chairs for several hours.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and immediately shut down the lift.
Rescue teams worked painstakingly to free those still hanging in the air.
An official cause has not yet been confirmed.
Authorities say a full technical examination of the chairlift will now be carried out.
Speaking to Montenegrin television, Žabljak mayor Radoš Žugić said the incident was being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Hertner’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief from the football world.
He previously played in the second division for 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt.
Most recently, he was still active as a player.
Hertner captained ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga, Germany’s fifth tier.
Hertner also represented Germany at U18 and U19 level.
During his youth career, he played alongside future World Cup winner Christoph Kramer.
He also shared the pitch with Felix Kroos, the brother of Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos.
The tragedy comes amid a string of terrifying chairlift accidents worldwide.
In January, two young women were left in intensive care after a ski lift pulley failed at Spain’s Astún resort.
At least 30 people were seriously injured in that incident.
Around 80 skiers and snowboarders were left dangling high above the ground.
Spain’s Civil Guard said the line “fell off” after the cable lost tension.
The lift plunged from a height of 15 metres.
Four helicopters, firefighters and 56 ambulances were sent to the scene.
In another incident last September, three people were killed after a chairlift cable snapped on Mount Elbrus, Russia’s highest peak.
Nine others were injured while 37 passengers were riding the cableway.
