Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency:  Newsflash

This 27-year-old footballer has died after falling from a precipice while on a walk with his three-month pregnant wife on Boxing Day.

Uruguayan footballer Maximiliano Pereira, 27, died at the Salto del Penitente waterfall located near the city of Minas in the Uruguayan department of Lavalleja on 26th December.

Local media said that Pereira was walking with his three-month pregnant wife when he accidentally slipped and fell from a rocky ledge and ended up in the natural pool.

According to the news program Subrayado, Pereira was still conscious after the fall and eyewitness claimed he tried to unsuccessfully exit the water. (https://bit.ly/3ptocel)

Local firemen attended the area hoping to save the footballer but were unable to locate him after several hours of searching.

Divers from the Paraguay Navy later found his body shortly after 9am yesterday (27 December).

Pereira’s team Central Espanol Futbol Club issued a statement shortly after hearing the news saying: “We deeply regret to inform you of the passing of Maximiliano Pereira, player of our club.

“We send our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The Central Espanol Futbol Club family will always remember you fondly, Maxi.”

Pereira’s former club Liverpool Futbol Club also posted pictures of the footballer posing with a Super Cup trophy he won with them earlier this year.

He played as a left-back with the top-flight club until his contract finished and he joined the second-tier Central Espanol in September this year.

It is unclear if the local authorities are investigating the footballer’s untimely death.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.