Tributes have been pouring in for a Spanish basketball player who tragically lost his life after being struck by a train on his way to team practice. Nicolas Ramirez Perez, 22, was rushed to hospital after a high-speed passenger train carrying over 100 people hit him at a rural station near the northern city of Zaragoza.

Sadly, he was declared dead shortly after arriving at the hospital yesterday evening. In light of this tragic event, his club CB Octavus de Utebo announced the suspension of all its league matches scheduled for this weekend. The Zaragoza-based club released a statement saying: “In the light of the great loss suffered and as a sign of mourning for the tragic event that occurred yesterday, all league matches scheduled for this weekend have been suspended.

“Most of today’s training sessions have also been suspended. From the large family that makes up Octavus Basketball Club, we would like to convey our support and deepest condolences for this great loss for the family and friends of Nico. A big hug.”

A spokesperson expressed their grief in a separate Instagram post: “Life is sometimes so unfair that it is impossible to understand why things happen. We are shocked, saddened, angry at fate. It wasn’t your time..

“We will miss you, N. You will always be part of this club.”

The regional Aragon Basketball Federation also paid tribute, adding: “We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Nicolas Ramirez Perez following his death.

“He had spent five years playing for his club. A big hug to everyone. Rest in peace.”

The tragic incident that led to the death of the Pamplona-born basketball player took place at a station named Casetas, just over 10 miles from Zaragoza, where Perez was taken to hospital.

He was crossing the tracks in a rural area when he was hit by a train that wasn’t scheduled to stop at the station. He had just left another train at the station when the incident took place.

The basketball club’s secretary, Enrique Peiro, confirmed that the young player was en route to training when the fatal incident happened.

A police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway. A local mayor has called for improved safety measures at the station, stating that an official crossing was “poorly illuminated.”