A man who died in a devastating ski lift accident in Montenegro has been identified as former professional footballer Sebastian Hertner.
Hertner, 34, previously played in Germany’s second division and was on holiday with his wife when the tragedy occurred.
The fatal incident happened at the Savin Kuk ski resort in the Durmitor Mountains on Sunday afternoon. Hertner and his wife were riding a double chairlift when one of the chairs is believed to have come loose from the cable at around 1 p.m.
Reports say the chair suddenly slid about 230 feet backward along the cable before smashing into the seat behind it. During the violent collision, Hertner fell approximately 225 feet from the lift and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife, 30, survived but was left badly injured and deeply traumatized. She remained trapped in the malfunctioning chairlift for several hours before emergency crews were able to reach her. Rescuers later confirmed she suffered a broken leg.
The ski resort, which features 4.7 kilometers of slopes at elevations between 1,515 and 2,212 meters, was immediately shut down following the accident. Several other passengers were left stranded high above the ground, with at least three tourists trapped in their chairs for hours as rescue teams worked to free them.
Emergency services responded quickly, securing the area and assisting those still suspended in the air. Authorities said the exact cause of the malfunction has not yet been confirmed, and a full technical inspection of the chairlift is underway.
Speaking to Montenegrin television, Žabljak mayor Radoš Žugić said the incident is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Hertner’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from the football community. His club shared a tribute on Instagram, writing:
“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.”
During his career, Hertner played for clubs including 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue, and Darmstadt. He was most recently active as captain of ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga, Germany’s fifth tier. He also represented Germany at under-18 and under-19 levels.
As a youth player, Hertner shared the field with future World Cup winner Christoph Kramer and Felix Kroos, the brother of Real Madrid star Toni Kroos.
The tragedy comes amid a series of serious chairlift accidents worldwide. In January, at least 30 people were seriously injured at Spain’s Astún resort after a lift pulley failed, leaving dozens stranded in the air. Last September, three people were killed when a chairlift cable snapped on Mount Elbrus in Russia, injuring nine others.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the Savin Kuk crash as authorities work to determine how the fatal malfunction occurred.
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