‘Extremely popular’ teen footballer dies in ‘freak accident’ on pitch
Written by News on 12/12/2018
An “extremely popular” teenage boy has died after colliding with another footballer during a youth match in a “freak accident”.
Luca Campanaro, goalkeeper for Bedgrove Dynamos FC, was seriously injured during an under-15s away match against Harefield United FC in Hillingdon, west London on Sunday.
The 14-year-old player, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is believed to have collided with a member of the other team.
Paramedics turned up “instantaneously” and Luca was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, Harefield United FC secretary Ray Green said.
Luca, a GCSE student at The Mandeville School in Aylesbury, had his life support machine switched off on Monday afternoon.
Mr Green said: “Hats off to the paramedics and ambulance service, they were there that quick, even before the air ambulance.
“Normally when you have a football injury you can be sitting around for an hour, but it was instantaneous.”
“It was just a freak accident. It was just a collision between the two boys. From what people were saying it was the awkwardness of how he fell that was it.”
A statement from Bedgrove Dynamos said everyone at the club is “devastated”.
It added: “We are deeply saddened to have to announce that a young player from the club sadly passed away this afternoon after being involved in a collision during a youth match on Sunday 9 December.
“Our thoughts are with Luca’s family and loved ones at this distressing time.
“We also offer our heartfelt condolences to his teammates and all associated with the club as we now try to come to terms with the tragic loss of our friend and teammate.”
The club will be celebrating the life of Luca with a minute’s applause at fixtures this weekend.
A family friend, Dave Garricks, has set up a JustGiving page, which quickly surpassed its £10,000 goal to cover funeral costs.
The page says any more donations will go to London’s Air Ambulance and adds that Luca’s organs were donated “so in this tragic event others may live”.
Luca’s headteacher, Andria Hanham, said: “There are no words to describe how we feel in losing Luca from our school community.
“He was an extremely popular boy and well liked by his peers and staff.
“Moreover, he was known in the local community and had innumerable friendships, so this news will shake many, many people.”
Staff at the school described Luca as an “energetic, lively, inquisitive, friendly and helpful young man” who was popular and “always had a smile on his face”.
“He will be hugely missed,” they added.
(c) Sky News 2018: ‘Extremely popular’ teen footballer dies in ‘freak accident’ on pitch
