A 22-year-old Spanish basketball player died Monday evening after being struck by a high-speed passenger train at a rural station near Zaragoza, Spain, while on his way to team practice.
Nicolas Ramirez Perez was hit by the train at Casetas station, about 10 miles from Zaragoza, on December 15, 2025. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. local time when Perez was crossing the tracks after having just gotten off another train.
The train that struck him was an Alvia train on the Bilbao-Barcelona line carrying over 100 passengers. The train was not scheduled to stop at the station.
Perez was taken to Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza in critical condition and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Enrique Peiro, club secretary for CB Octavus de Utebo, confirmed that Perez was on his way to team practice when he was struck. The Guardia Civil has opened a police investigation into the incident.
Following the tragedy, CB Octavus de Utebo announced it had suspended all weekend league matches and most training sessions. The club released a statement expressing its grief.
“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,” the club stated.
A club spokesman posted an emotional message on social media addressing the loss. “Life is sometimes so unfair that it is impossible to understand why things happen,” the spokesman wrote.
The Aragon Basketball Federation also issued condolences, noting that Perez had played for his club for five years.
Perez was born in Pamplona on April 2, 2003. At the time of his death, he was studying architecture at the University of Zaragoza while playing basketball for CB Octavus de Utebo.
The 22-year-old played the forward position in the Primera Nacional A-2 league and wore jersey number 66. He had been with the club for five years.
A local mayor raised safety concerns about the station following the incident, calling the crossing poorly illuminated. The statement highlighted the need for improved safety measures at the rural station where the tragedy occurred.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the basketball community in the Aragon region. The club described Perez, known as Nico to teammates and friends, as an integral part of their basketball family.
The suspension of league matches and training sessions reflects the profound impact of the loss on the team and wider basketball community. The club’s statement emphasized its support for Perez’s family and friends during this difficult time.
The Guardia Civil continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are examining the safety conditions at Casetas station, particularly the illumination of pedestrian crossings and the protocols for passengers transferring between trains at stations where not all services stop.
The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about railway safety at rural stations in Spain, where passengers may need to cross tracks to reach platforms or exits. The lack of adequate lighting at crossing points has been identified as a particular concern at smaller stations.
Perez’s death comes as a devastating loss for CB Octavus de Utebo, a basketball club based in the Zaragoza area. The team competes in the Primera Nacional A-2 league, part of Spain’s national basketball system.
The regional basketball federation’s tribute acknowledged Perez’s dedication to the sport over his five years with the club. His commitment to both his athletic and academic pursuits demonstrated the balance many student-athletes maintain while pursuing their passions.
The investigation by the Guardia Civil will likely examine multiple factors, including the timing of the incident, visibility conditions at the station, signage warning of non-stopping trains, and whether proper safety protocols were in place for passengers crossing tracks.
As the basketball community mourns, the focus remains on supporting Perez’s family and teammates while ensuring such tragedies can be prevented in the future. The calls for improved safety measures at Casetas station underscore the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure at rural railway facilities across Spain.
The suspended matches and training sessions will resume once the club determines an appropriate time to return to competition, allowing players and staff time to grieve the loss of their teammate and friend.