Tragic Loss: Croatian Olympian Antonio Rački Killed in Pećine Tunnel Accident

Croatian Olympian Antonio Rački tragically passed away in a devastating accident last night in the Pećine tunnel, as confirmed by his father and former coach, Antun Rački.

Expressing deep shock and sorrow, Mr. Rački shared the heartbreaking news, mentioning that despite the loss of his son, there was a glimmer of hope as his grandson, who was also in the car, survived the ordeal. While the exact circumstances of the accident remain unclear beyond reports of speeding, the family is reeling from the impact of the tragedy.

Antonio Rački, known for his participation in the Winter Olympics in Norwegian Lillehammer in 1994 and Japanese Nagano four years later, leaves behind a legacy of athletic excellence and determination.

Regarding the condition of other individuals involved in the accident, the Institute for Orthopedics and Traumatology of KBC Ri has admitted two patients aged 23 and 60, while another aged 20 is under observation in the surgery department. According to Grgo Martinović, the acting head of the institute, all three patients are currently stable and out of immediate danger.

The accident, which occurred around 21:40 on DC 404 within the Pećine tunnel in Rijeka, resulted in the tragic loss of two Croatian citizens and injuries to three others, as announced by the PU of Primorsko-Goranska.

Initial investigations suggest that the collision happened when the 19-year-old driver of a private vehicle, speeding from Vežica towards the center of Rijeka, lost control in a sharp bend, veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with a truck driven by a 62-year-old man.

The impact of the collision caused the vehicle to spin, ejecting three passengers. Unfortunately, two individuals aged 19 and 50 lost their lives at the scene, while the driver and another passenger sustained injuries.