21-year-old footballer Helar Gonzales Altamirano passes away after horrific collision during match

A horrific incident took place during a Copa Peru match as a young Peruvian footballer, Helar Gonzales Altamirano, aged 21, died after a collision. Altamirano smashed into the opponent team’s goalkeeper and was taken off the field on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. 

The news of his death was shared by his brother, Eliceo, who confirmed Altamirano’s death and informed that he lost the battle for survival on the same day of the incident. The 21-year-old footballer used to play for the club, Real Titan NC.

The club released the statement, stating, “Rest in peace, friend. We will remember you for your love of football and your family. You leave us with great pain.

“Great strength to your family at this difficult time. They are not alone because Titan is with them and the football family is with them."

The incident happened during the 70th minute of the Copa Peru clash between Real Titans Nc and Defensor Nueva Cajamarca. As soon as the horrific collision happened, all the players gathered together, crowding around him as he was taken off on a stretcher in an ambulance, which carried him to the hospital.

I wanted to go onto the pitch to be nearer my son: Altamirano's father

Altamirano's father was in the stands during the match when his son was getting taken off on a stretcher after the incident. He joined a local TV station to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time.

He said, "I would like to thank everyone for their support with this terrible pain that we’re experiencing. Helar wanted to be a great footballer from a very young age and was always talking about going as far in the sport as he could. I know his team are going to dedicate all their future achievements to him."

“I thought at first when I saw the clash that it was another player and didn’t initially connect that it was Helar. I wanted to go onto the pitch to be nearer my son when I realised it was him, but they wouldn’t let me and I didn’t see him until we got tothe  hospital, when he was already critical," his father added.