A 23-year-old American football player has died after hitting his head on a rock while jumping into the sea.
Francesco Aronica was on holiday with friends when the tragedy unfolded on Sunday (17 Aug) afternoon.
The accident occurred as the group were leaping from a rocky cliff into the sea at the famous Lama Monachile cove.
READ MORE: Hero Iceland worker stands up to violent ‘shoplifter’ outside store
During the six-metre jump, Francesco struck his head on a rock before hitting the water and losing consciousness.
Onlookers watched in horror as he surfaced with a serious head injury at the front and top of his skull.
Emergency responders arrived quickly and defibrillated Francesco at the scene in Polignano a Mare, in Italy’s south-eastern Apulia region.
Defibrillation continued as he was rushed in critical condition to a hospital in nearby Monopoli.
By the time he arrived, Francesco was in cardiac arrest, as reported by Need To Know.
Doctors spent more than an hour attempting to resuscitate him, but were unable to save him.
Nicknamed “Ciccio”, Francesco was from Catania, Sicily, and played American football for the Catania Elephants.
A club spokesperson said: “Francesco was not just a teammate: he was a friend, a brother, part of our family.
“His passion, energy, and smile will forever remain in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him.”
READ MORE: Woman ‘stabs lover to death’ after he blocks her from checking his phone
