LA PAZ, Bolivia: Victor Hugo Hurtado, 31-year-old Bolivian referee, on Sunday collapsed during a Bolivian league match high up in the Andes and died after being taken to the hospital.
The soccer match between Always Ready and Oriente Petrolero was played at Municipal Stadium in El Alto. The stadium sits about 4,090 meters (13,418 feet) above sea level.
As per reports, the incident took place during the 47th minute of the match when Hurtado toppled backwards and fell on the field.
Here is the video of the incident:
After Victor collapsed the players of both the team as well doctors rushed to his side. Minutes after the incident took place, Hurtado has driven away to hospital in an ambulance.
Eric Kosziner, aways Ready team doctor, revealed that Hurtado suffered a heart attack on the field and then a second, fatal attack as he arrived at the hospital.
Fernando Costa, the president of Always Ready, in a statement to local media, insisted that it would be "premature" to establish a link between the altitude where the game was played and the death of the Bolivian referee.
