A footballer and reality TV star has died after being struck by a boat while cooling off during the ongoing heatwave.
Some reports say Mats Grotenbreg was swimming, while others say he was paddleboarding, when he was hit at around 7pm yesterday (25 June).
Emergency services rushed to the scene in large numbers but were unable to save him.
READ MORE: Footballer’s wife tragically dies protecting baby during earthquake
The tragedy unfolded at the Mookerplas recreational area, which features a lake and canal, near Middelaar in the Netherlands.
Police arrested one person and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Grotenbreg, 28, came through the youth academies of PSV and Vitesse before playing for Jong Vitesse, FC Oss, VV DUNO, USV Hercules, GVVV and, most recently, Jonge Kracht.
He also earned two caps for the Netherlands Under-18 side in 2015, as reported by Need To Know.
The highlight of his football career came in a Dutch Cup tie on 21 December 2023, when fourth-tier Hercules stunned Ajax 3-2 thanks to his dramatic 93rd-minute winner.
He described the victory as “fantastic” after the match.
Away from football, Grotenbreg was also a familiar face on television.
He appeared on the reality show “FBoy Island” and, earlier this year, featured in the third season of “De Bachelorette”.
Grotenbreg’s death was one of three water-related fatalities in the Netherlands yesterday.
A 13-year-old boy drowned in Strijkviertelplas lake in Utrecht after going missing late in the afternoon.
A large-scale search operation was launched before rescue workers recovered his body from the water at 7:20pm.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man drowned in the River Waal near Nijmegen after jumping from a bridge and failing to resurface.
Emergency services searched the area using a drone and helicopter before recovering his body.
Jonge Kracht coach Gerrit-Jan Barten said: “This is impossible to comprehend. Mats was a fantastic lad – always cheerful and enjoying life.”
One friend wrote online: “What had been such a wonderful, fun afternoon together turned into a black day.
“We’re in shock. There are no words. Just a few hours ago we were all together on the boat, having the best time. We are absolutely devastated.”
READ MORE: Plain clothes cop praised after rugby tackling runaway fugitive in crowded city center
