'Saddest day': Disbelief over tragic death of 17-year-old star
The football world is in disbelief following the tragic death of 17-year-old Spanish prodigy Jorge Sanchez Vaca.
The Las Palmas starlet and a 15-year-old friend drowned in a Spanish canal when they were trapped in some pipework.
Emergency services were unable to revive the pair when they were salvaged from the water.
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The devastating tragedy occurred in the Orellana Canal in the province of Badajoz in Spain’s south-west.
Vaca was playing out the season with UD Jandia and was set to rejoin Las Palmas’ Under-19 side next year.
He had also reportedly caught the attention of Segunda Division side Girona.
“UD Las Palmas are deeply saddened by the death of our former academy player Jorge Sánchez Vaca who, coming from UD Jandía de Fuerteventura, had planned to join our Under-19s next season,” Las Palmas said in a statement.
“We send our condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace.”
La UD Las Palmas lamenta profundamente el fallecimiento del ex jugador de nuestro cadete Jorge Sánchez Vaca, que, procedente del UD Jandía, tenía previsto incorporarse a nuestro Juvenil A la próxima temporada. Enviamos nuestro pésame a sus familiares y amigos. DEP pic.twitter.com/y99xMLnvMX
— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) June 20, 2020
Las Palmas hold minute’s silence for Sanchez Vaca
The Las Palmas' first team had a minute’s silence before their training session on Sunday.
UD Jandia also sent their condolences.
“One of the saddest days in our club’s history, we don't have the words to describe the pain which has overcome us in these moments,” the club wrote on social media.
Antes de la sesión de entrenamiento, la plantilla y el cuerpo técnico guardan un minuto de silencio en memoria del jugador Jorge Sánchez Vaca. DEP pic.twitter.com/Iv15fTXHEI
— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) June 21, 2020
Football fans around the globe also expressed their shock.
Terrible!! El jugador juvenil lanzaroteño Jorge Sánchez Vaca, que se había incorporado a la UD Las Palmas procedente de la UD Jandia, ha fallecido de manera repentina. Jorge ya estuvo en el cadete preferente y éste año iba a jugar en el juvenil A de Las Palmas. D.E.P.
— rafaleon (@rafaleonortega) June 20, 2020
RIP
— Haaris (@HaarisA73990019) June 22, 2020
RIP
— Jack Woods - WhatsYourSource.Com (@JackTWoods18) June 21, 2020