AN young Italian athlete died of a suspected heart attack while he was having dinner with his friends in Torre Maina, Italy, according to reports on Monday, May 30.
The province of Modena, in Italy’s northern Emilia-Romagna region, is said to be in mourning after the sudden death of 21-year-old athlete Gianmarco Verdi following a suspected heart attack on Sunday, May 29.
Verdi from Pavullo (Modena), who was thought of as one of the top athletes at the Atletica Frignano sports club, collapsed while he was having dinner with his friends.
According to reports, the 21-year-old collapsed on his side and became unconscious. His friends immediately called for the emergency services while a health worker sitting in the restaurant at the time performed CPR.
When the paramedics arrived, they were able to resuscitate the young man and transported him to a hospital in Baggiovara, however, he sadly died shortly upon arrival.
Gianmarco was well known in Pavullo and was the son of the president of Pavullo FC.
The young athlete participated in the 2018 Cross-Country Student World Championships in Paris.
Atletica Frignano sports club paid tribute to the young athlete on Facebook.
“Goodbye Giammi. Athletics Frignano will always remember you with this smile.”
Read more: 21-year-old athlete dies of suspected heart attack while at dinner with friends
