Chapecoense Plane Crash Survivor Henzel Dies of Heart Attack

By Nigel Phillips

A radio sports commentator and one of the six survivors of the Chapecoense plane clash, Rafael Henzel, has died of heart attack.

Henzel was taken to the hospital after he collapsed while playing football in Chapeco and died shortly after his arrival.

In November 2016, a plane carrying 77 people, including the Chapecoense team, staff and 21 journalists, crashed on the way to Medellin, Colombia.

The Brazilian club was due to play Atletico Nacional in the first leg game of the Copa Sudamericana final when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Only six people, including Henzel and three Chapecoense players, survived the crash.

Reuters reported Henzel's death on Wednesday as Chapecoense paid tribute to the 45-year-old iconic commentator, who returned to the mic after the tragedy.

In a statement, Chapecoense said: "Throughout his brilliant career, Rafael told the story of Chapecoense. He was a symbol of the club's reconstruction and will always be remembered in the green and white pages of this institution."

Chapecoense have a Copa do Brazil date with Criciuma on Wednesday, but have asked the Brazilian Football Confederation to postpone the game to Thursday following Henzel's death.