R.I.P. - Footballer Angulo, 22, dies of injuries from devastating car crash

INTERNATIONAL footballer Marco Angulo has tragically died at the age of 22.

Angulo was involved in a traffic incident in Ecuador's capital of Quito on October 7, before he was rushed to hospital.

The car crash had occurred on the Rumiñahui highway in the southeast of Quito at 4.30am.

While in hospital he underwent a “decompressive craniectomy” operation that extracted 300 cubic centimetres of blood to release pressure inside his head caused by the trauma suffered.

Angulo had also suffered a lung contusion that required the placement of a chest tube, though no active bleeding was found.

However, 35 days after the crash on November 11, Angulo was confirmed to have passed away from his injuries.

He was travelling in a Ford Explorer registered in his sister's name with four other people when the crash happened.

Angulo's death means three people have been killed in the crash, including Independiente Juniors star Roberto Cabezas Simisterra and Víctor Charcopa Nazareno, the cousin of Cuniburo Fútbol Club player Diogo Nazareno.

The car is reported to have crashed into a metal structure weighing 50 tons after failing to follow the road signs, with the impact moving the structure by 5 metres.

Angulo starred for Ecuadorian club LDU Quito on loan from Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati.

The midfielder, who only made his professional debut in 2020, had been capped twice by the Ecuador national team.

His latest appearance had come in a 2-1 win over Australia in March 2023.

Paying tribute following his death, his club said in a statement: "With profound pain and sadness, we regret to inform the passing of our beloved player Marco Angulo.

"His departure is an irreparable loss that will leave an indelible mark in our hearts.

Club captain Ezequiel Piovi said on Instagram: "May you rest in peace."