Two up-and-coming footballers lost their lives in a horrific car crash with one of the deceased buried in a casket decorated with his team’s colours in a heartbreaking tribute. Pietro Borsini was among four young men travelling in an Opel which struck a Fiat Punto head-on during the early hours of Sunday morning, June 14. The 19-year-old footballer succumbed to his injuries in hospital the next day.
He became the second fatality from the collision on the Aspio road section, situated just beyond the Italian port city of Ancona. The driver, fellow footballer Davide Paglialunga, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene. The mangled vehicles erupted in flames, leaving passengers trapped until rescuers could extract them as the blaze intensified. Two others, Lorenzo Marrone and Mattia Lucesoli, both 21, escaped with injuries.
The 31-year-old Punto driver sustained injuries as well. Three individuals stopped at the location to alert emergency services and assist in freeing those from the burning wreckage.
Lorenzo reflected afterwards: “I am only alive today because of those brave guys managed to pull me out of the raging flames.”
He was present at the victims’ funeral services on a stretcher. Over 1,000 mourners filled the church of San Biagio in Osimo for Pietro’s funeral yesterday, June 18.
Numerous attendees donned black T-shirts paying tribute to the “fallen ultras”, while scarves from San Biagio and Ancona were placed upon the coffin. Pietro, a committed midfielder recognised for his determination and leadership qualities as junior captain, worked alongside his father Roberto in the family carpentry firm.
He represented ASD San Biagio in Italy’s Marche region.
Team-mates described him as “an indomitable angel”. In a moving club statement read during the service, they declared: “You were the future, the mission, the identity.”
His mother Federica informed mourners her son’s legacy would endure through his organ donation. The funeral cortege made its way to the local football ground, where ultras carried the coffin onto the pitch for a final farewell on the turf he cherished.
Osimo mayor Michela Glorio declared a period of mourning and stated that a “veil of sadness” had descended upon the community.
Archbishop Angelo Spina conducted the service as friends, relatives, and representatives from rival ultras groups gathered to pay tribute.
Davide Paglialunga was a central midfielder for SSD Jesina Calcio in the Eccellenza league.
The 21-year-old made 25 appearances for the club last season, and officials had recently confirmed his renewal for the next campaign. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.