22 June 2020

Spanish football prospect Jorge Sanchez Vaca drowns in canal aged 17

Las Palmas footballer Jorge Sanchez Vaca has died at the age of just 17 after drowning in a Spanish canal.

The youngster was with a 15-year-old friend when the pair got caught in the pipes of a waterway.

Emergency services in south west Spain rushed to the aid of the teenagers but sadly they could not save them.

Las Palmas tweeted: "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.

"We send our condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace."

Sanchez Vaca had been on loan with UD Jandia in Fuertaventura last season and his temporary club also expressed their devastation at the loss.

They said: "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 Las Palmas squad gathered together during training for a minute’s silence at the weekend after hearing the news.

Sanchez Vaca was due to re-join Las Palmas and begin training with the under 19 squad later in the summer.

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