Rocks hit a Pistoia fan bus, reserve driver dies: tragedy on way back from Rieti

A huge tragedy shook the basketball world on Sunday evening. The second driver of a bus that was taking some Pistoia fans back home from the away game in Rieti died after the vehicle he was on, on the opposite side from the driver, was hit by some rocks along the way.

As reported by local media, the incident occurred Sunday evening, after the A2 Series match between Rieti and Pistoia, on State Road 79, the so-called Rieti-Terni Superhighway, at the height of Contigliano, on the border between Lazio and Umbria. The second driver would have immediately suffered very serious injuries, the intervention of rescuers unfortunately did not prevent the worst.

Law enforcement officers also responded to the scene and are working to determine the dynamics of the tragedy. Both clubs said they were dismayed to learn the news: Pistoia Basket president Joseph David expressed condolences on behalf of the club for the victim; his Sebastiani peer, Roberto Pietropaoli, made the club bus available for Pistoia fans to take them home, according to a report by ‘Pianeta Basket’.

The stretch of road where the tragedy occurred has been blocked off for Sunday evening so that law enforcement officials can safely remove the vehicle and make all the necessary findings to ascertain the dynamics of the events.