The father of late footballer Emiliano Sala has died of a heart attack four months after his son was killed in a plane crash.
Horacio Sala passed away from a heart attack in his bed at his home in Argentina this morning, local media reported.
His 28-year-old son Emiliano was flying to Cardiff in January following his transfer from French side Nantes when the Piper Malibu plane piloted by David Ibbotson crashed into the English Channel, killing them both.
His father Horacio has been grief-struck ever since, telling of his pain in an interview at his home days after the crash.
The former truck driver told Argentine TV: 'I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I am desperate.'
He described his son as 'small town humble boy', adding: 'He was a lad who always fought for what he had.'
Mr Sala's death was today confirmed by local politician Julio Muller, who said paramedics had rushed to his home but were unable to save him.
Mr Muller told local radio station La Red: '2019 doesn't let up in shocking us with news in this town.
'At 5 o'clock in the morning, the lady, his wife, rang me and she was very upset.
'The doctors were there but when I arrived at their home, he had already died.'
Striker Emiliano Sala became the Cardiff record signing on January 19 but then died in a plane crash two days later.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found in its preliminary report in February that pilot Mr Ibbotson was not licensed to fly fee-paying passengers and the plane itself was not registered to undertake commercial flights.
Records have since shown that Ibbotson was also not licensed to fly at night.
Murugan
668
Rest in Peace Dad And Son😭😭😭 The Football Fans Are Very Sad for Sala Dead😱. Now His Dad Dead🤒....
VidalArturo
358
Very sad Lets pray for their family Rest in Peace it is in such intervals that we rise above prejudices and quarrels and fights and unite ourselves to hope and pray for peace,comfort and love. #FootballUnitesUs
SpunKyRaMan
307
A plane crash changed Sala's family into a disaster . Their family might have been very happy seeing Sala Uprising ,bringing happiness to them ,making them live in luxury but now that crash changed everything even the same pronlem gave another panic to his dad. Anyway RestInPeace Sala & his Dad.May God Bless Their Family
Budotu
224
😔 Emiliano Sala's father, Horacio, has suddenly died of a heart attack 3 months after his son was tragically killed in a plane crash. 🙏 Our thoughts are with the Sala family at this time.
mawekst
167
can't even imagine what entire family is going through right now...hope they will overcome someday and they will bounce back strongly....god is so unkind sometimes
Cozby29
140
What a pity, I hope if your son is alive your death can't come so soon. RIP
segxxzmichael
112
There are no words to describe my pain for the tragedy that has befallen this family, Oh GOD heal them of their pains, more especially comfort the mother/wife and heal her already damaged soul. This is just too sad to hear and bear. Life ain’t fair One minute you’re happy, the next mins your world is in shambles. The plane crash changed their lives forever. I pray our FATHER in Heaven will always stand by them till the end of their days.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽😭😭😭
oheneantwib
75
Look this is no joke. If you are a true father to your child or children and you have a good relationship with them you will understand Sala dad pains he was going through. I am a Dad myself and I CANNOT imagine something terrible happen to my kids what I will do. This is so sad news to start my day here. May his soul rest in perfect peace. 😢😢😢
whykallar
65
This is sad and frustrating, father and son died, the pilot didn't have license to fly plane, sounding like a third world country, what a big shame and disgrace to the European aviation, Rest and peace father and son.
AndreSmart
63
RIP Emiliano Sala, a Nantes legend who was meant to shine in the EPL after traveling back to visit his former teammates, his plane crashed as he was coming back and the rest is history and now his Dad is dead because of a Heart attack, I feel for the family
Australia2776124
62
Such tragedy. The heart break has taken its toll on this poor man and his family. What I can not comprehend why would have his son been flown in such a plane in the first place.? Multi millions involved in football especially in premier league and nobody could not have flown this young lad in at least business class of a normal airliner. Most of these owners have personal private jets. This will never ever make any sense to me. Such tragic events. May they all rest In Peace
Dwise
59
Very sad Lets pray for their family Rest in Peace it is in such intervals that we rise above prejudices and quarrels and fights and unite ourselves to hope and pray for peace,comfort and love. #FootballUnitesUs
ficcdkorsu
57
Tragedy one after the other, of course there is nothing worse in this world than losing a son you raised with so much sacrifices. RIP both father and son, may your souls rest in Heaven
ledbdinuy
56
May his soul rest in eternal peace, he loved his son,the breadwinner but the chosen one, may the family find comfort and solace in the Almighty Father throughout the prayers, until we met again, RIP AVO
iLoveAss
56
There is nothing heavier to a father than the burden of his child's death He couldn't hold it any longer May your soul rest in peace sir, it is so sad and heartbreaking to hear what Sala's family has had to bear the last 3 months
dunmnopuz
55
Mr Horacio, may you find peace in heaven. These last 4 months have not been easy for you, probably that is the reason for the debacle. .. RIP Sala and Horacio 🙏🙏
lukzlat910
44
Both are reunited in heaven together that's the bright part but his wife and daughter must be devastated, first their belevod Sala now his dad, rest in peace Mr Sala, may your soul find comfort in God and may you reunite with your son in heaven Amen 🙏🙏
iam_paco
40
it is nice to see AF wishing these good people for a farewell, we are all humans and we will miss them as football fans. Rest in peace father, reunite with yur son in heavens
kartiklm10cr7
36
First son and then dad Just trying to feel the feeling of their family REST IN PEACE. You both never forgotten.😭😭😭😢😢 RIP
Foabcpt
35
what a sad and tragic news ,"sala senior your son needed your guardiance upstairs that's why you were transitted to heaven ".May rest your soul and grant your family the fortitude to bear his lost.God bless the dead...
jaineelbhatt
30
Horacio Sala, the father of Emiliano, has died of a heart attack just three months after his son passed away in a tragic plane crash. RIP Horacio🙏
hamza_RM_
26
The death of someone so close to you is so painful. He was already dead when he lost his son. I hope no parent would have to bury their own children. Its so sad...😔
jemi-barca
11
R.I.P Emiliano Sala you will always be in our hearts..[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
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wrong use of the emoji mate...