Tragic Accident in Como Involving Inter Milan Goalkeeper Josep Martinez

A man has tragically died following a collision between his electric wheelchair and a car driven by Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez, Italian authorities have confirmed.

The incident occurred in the province of Como, northern Italy, on Monday evening, with initial police reports indicating that the wheelchair veered into the path of Martinez’s vehicle. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, but the victim was pronounced dead before the ambulance arrived.

“The car driven by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez hit a man who was in an electric wheelchair travelling on a cycle path alongside a road in the province of Como,” a spokesperson for the Italian police told Reuters.

“Martinez stopped his car in order to help the man, who died before the arrival of the ambulance.”

Police say an investigation is ongoing to determine the precise circumstances of the fatal collision, including road conditions and potential mechanical factors affecting the wheelchair.

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Inter Milan Responds to Tragic News

Following the incident, Inter Milan announced the cancellation of their pre-match news conference, which had been scheduled for Tuesday ahead of their Serie A fixture against Fiorentina.

The club issued no official comment but expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family and confirmed that Martinez is cooperating fully with authorities.

The tragic event has cast a shadow over Inter’s preparations, with both the club and supporters expressing shock over the incident.

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Who Is Josep Martinez?

Josep Martinez, aged 27, is a Spanish international goalkeeper currently serving as Inter Milan’s second-choice keeper.

He joined Inter from Genoa in 2024 after an impressive campaign that saw him establish himself as one of Serie A’s top shot-stoppers. Previously, Martinez played for Las Palmas and RB Leipzig, and he made his international debut for Spain in 2021.

Since joining Inter, Martinez has made 12 appearances across all competitions and has been a key squad member under manager Simone Inzaghi.

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Ongoing Investigation

The Como provincial police have confirmed that they are gathering eyewitness statements and security footage from nearby roads to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Preliminary reports suggest that the man’s electric wheelchair was travelling along a cycle path parallel to the main road before suddenly entering the lane where Martinez’s vehicle was driving. Authorities are working to confirm whether the wheelchair malfunctioned or if visibility played a role.

No charges have been filed at this stage, and Martinez remains fully compliant with the investigation process.

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Broader Context and Reaction

Road safety advocates in Italy have raised concerns over shared road spaces and wheelchair accessibility, calling for renewed attention to infrastructure and driver awareness following this latest tragedy.

Supporters have taken to social media to offer condolences to the victim’s family while expressing support for Martinez, who reportedly remained at the scene until emergency personnel arrived.

As investigations continue, the football community awaits further updates from local authorities and Inter Milan regarding the next steps in this deeply unfortunate case.