Tragic swimming accident in Lake Bertasee in Duisburg. A young man drowned in the water on Tuesday evening (July 30). Firefighters recovered his lifeless body. He died a short time later in hospital. As it later turned out, he was a 17-year-old football talent from Fortuna Düsseldorf. The club made a statement with moving words.
When the fire service arrived at the popular bathing lake in Duisburg in the evening, several people were already searching for the missing youth. Witnesses had seen the young man suddenly sink into the water.
Swimming accident in Bertasee Duisburg – rescue workers rescue 17-year-old
Rescue divers were finally able to find the 17-year-old in the lake. The initially lifeless youth was rescued and resuscitated. An ambulance took him to a hospital.
The area around the lake was cordoned off. A total of around 50 rescue workers were deployed. But any help came too late: the young man died a short time later in hospital.
Fortuna Düsseldorf shocked by death of U17 junior player
On Wednesday (July 31), Fortuna Düsseldorf released a moving message. Apparently, the victim of the swimming accident was one of their junior players.
“We mourn the loss of U17 player Newton Opoku-Mensah, who died yesterday after a swimming accident,” Fortuna Düsseldorf said on the social media platform X. “The entire club is shocked and in deep mourning.”
Training and match operations for all youth teams from U9 to U19 have been suspended until further notice. “The entire Fortuna family extends its condolences to the relatives, the entire U17 team and the employees at the youth performance center,” the club continued.
Fortuna Düsseldorf board member Klaus Allofs: “We can’t believe this news”
Klaus Allofs, head of sports and communications at Fortuna Düsseldorf, also spoke out and explained: “We are deeply shocked and cannot believe this news. Newton was a young man who lived his dream and has now died far too early. Our condolences and deepest sympathy go out to Newton’s family and relatives, as well as all of his teammates and the entire team in our NLZ.”
The police are currently conducting further investigations into the cause of the swimming accident. The exact circumstances were still unclear on Wednesday. Just a few days ago there was a swimming accident on the neighboring Wolfsee in Duisburg. A 31-year-old man has been missing since then.
