Russian hockey air disaster claims life of last team member

The lone survivor of a crash that killed the rest of a Russian hockey team has died of his injuries.

Travel Insurance News - 12/09/2011

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The one member of an ice-hockey team from Russia to survive last week’s deadly air crash has died as result of severe injuries suffered in the incident. Alexander Galimov was the only player from the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team to survive the crash that also left one member of the crew in intensive care.

The crash last Wednesday resulted in burns to 90 per cent of Galimov’s body. He was provided with intensive treatment but died this morning.

Galimov and a member of the plane’s crew were the only survivors of the fiery crash that took the lives of 43 people. The Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team, which competes in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), has suspended its activities until next season.

The crash has left a big mark in Russia, where ice hockey has long been a huge sporting tradition and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl twice won the Russian Super League, which became the KHL in 2009. Rallies held in support of the team following the crash had featured fans cheering for Galimov’s recovery.

Galimov’s death will be felt especially strongly in the team’s home of Yaroslavl. He was the only member of the team to come from the city, where he played hockey since his childhood.

Around 100,000 mourners, including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, gathered on Saturday to pay respects to Galimov’s colleages. The coffins of his 36 team mates, as well as several staff members, were placed on the rink at the team’s home arena in Yaroslavl.

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