Tragedy in Italy: 15-year-old Albanian footballer dies in accident after being hit while cycling home

A terrible tragedy has shaken the Albanian community in Italy. Manuel Korreshi, just 15, lost his life after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle at night in the province of Vicenza.

The incident occurred along Riviera Berica, in the municipality of Barbarano Mossano. The accident was recorded shortly after 1:00 AM on Sunday, September 20.

According to the preliminary reconstruction, the 15-year-old was cycling on provincial road 247, heading north, when he was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling in the same direction.

The impact was severe. Manuel was thrown onto the asphalt and ended up in the ditch beside the road, several meters from the point of impact.

The driver stopped immediately and called emergency services.

The medical team arrived at the scene and found the 15-year-old unconscious. He was intubated on the spot and rushed to the San Bortolo hospital in Vicenza, where he was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Despite the doctors’ efforts and after several hours between life and death, his condition did not improve.

Manuel Korreshi died shortly before 8:00 PM.

The driver, who stopped after the accident, told the carabinieri he had not seen the bicycle.

“It was very dark. I didn’t see him at all until I suddenly found him right in front of me,” he is reported to have said, still shaken by the event.

The Vicenza carabinieri carried out checks at the scene and have launched an investigation to determine the exact dynamics of the accident and possible responsibilities.

Authorities will also have to verify whether the 15-year-old’s bicycle had its lights on at the moment of impact.

The prosecution is expected to also consider seizing the vehicle and the bicycle, while the case could be investigated as vehicular homicide, depending on what the investigation uncovers.

Manuel Korreshi lived in Castegnero Nanto with his mother. His parents are of Albanian origin.

The 15-year-old was a student at the Lampertico institute in Vicenza and had a great passion for football.

He had previously played for the Longare Castegnero youth teams, and had recently joined the U16 team of Este, in the province of Padua. Manuel had even managed to score a goal for his new team.

News of his death has devastated family members, school friends and teammates.

“Fly high, bomber,” his friends wrote in the first tributes on social media.

The mayor of Castegnero Nanto, Manuela Vecchiatti, expressed the community’s grief after the tragic news.

“It is a drama that has deeply affected us. Manuel was a boy of only 15 and his death has shaken our entire community. At this moment, our thoughts go above all to his family, whom we stand by in their grief,” she said.

Messages from his friends have been numerous: “Rest in peace, Manu,” “Forever one of us,” “You left far too soon.”

The investigation to fully clarify the accident continues.