The build-up to Tuesday’s highly anticipated Champions League clash between AC Milan and Liverpool has been overshadowed by tragic news. A Liverpool supporter, who traveled from Manchester to Italy to witness the Reds’ return to Europe’s elite competition, was struck and killed by a car just hours before the match.
According to reports from Italian media outlets like Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, the 51-year-old fan had flown into Italy late Monday night, arriving at Orio al Serio airport in Bergamo shortly before midnight. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. when the fan attempted to cross the A4 highway near the airport to reach his hotel.
The supporter, who hailed from Ireland, was reportedly trying to make his way to the nearby NH Hotel where he had a reservation. In a tragic turn of events, the fan attempted to cross the highway on foot. Initial reports suggest he successfully crossed three lanes of traffic before being struck by an SUV, resulting in his untimely death.
The fan was not alone at the time of the incident. Reports indicate that he was accompanied by a father and son, who chose not to cross the highway with him. The pair is currently assisting police with the ongoing investigation into the accident.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including whether the fan was under the influence of alcohol or misled by a travel app that might have directed him onto a dangerous route. The A4 highway, one of Italy’s major motorways, is known for its high-speed traffic, making it an especially difficult area for pedestrians.
The victim has yet to be publicly identified, and further details about his life are still emerging.
