A 22-year-old Spanish basketball player died after being struck by a high-speed train while crossing tracks at a rural station near Zaragoza in northern Spain. Nicolas Ramirez Perez was hit on Monday evening, December 15, 2025, at Casetas station, located 10 miles from Zaragoza, and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Miguel Servet Hospital Zaragoza.
Perez had just gotten off another train and was crossing the tracks when the train struck him. The train, operating on the Bilbao-to-Barcelona line, was carrying 101 passengers and was not scheduled to stop at the station. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. local time.
The basketball player was on his way to team practice when the tragedy occurred, according to club secretary Enrique Peiro, who confirmed Perez was en route to training. The Guardia Civil has opened a police investigation into the incident that remains ongoing.
Perez played forward for CB Octavus de Utebo, a Zaragoza-based club, and wore jersey number 66. He had spent five years with the club, competing in the Primera Nacional A-2 league. In response to his death, CB Octavus de Utebo suspended all weekend matches and most training sessions.
The club released a statement expressing its grief: “In the light of the great loss suffered and as a sign of mourning for the tragic event that occurred yesterday, all league matches scheduled for this weekend have been suspended. Most of today’s training sessions have also been suspended. From the large family that makes up Octavus Basketball Club, we would like to convey our support and deepest condolences for this great loss for the family and friends of Nico. A big hug.”
A club spokesman posted an emotional message on Instagram: “Life is sometimes so unfair that it is impossible to understand why things happen. We are shocked, saddened, angry at fate. It wasn’t your time… We will miss you, N. You will always be part of this club.”
The regional Aragon Basketball Federation also paid tribute to the young player, sending its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Nicolas Ramirez Perez.
Born in Pamplona on April 2, 2003, Perez grew up in Etxauri, Navarre. He moved to Zaragoza to study architecture at the University of Zaragoza while pursuing his basketball career.
The incident has prompted calls for improved safety measures at Casetas station. A local mayor said safety needed to be improved at the station, calling an official crossing poorly illuminated. The station’s location in a rural area has raised concerns about visibility and pedestrian safety for passengers transferring between trains.
The train was not scheduled to stop at the station where Perez was crossing the tracks, adding to the tragic circumstances of the accident. No passengers on the train were reported to have been injured in the incident.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Spanish basketball community. The suspension of league matches and training sessions reflects the profound impact of Perez’s death on his teammates, coaches and the broader basketball federation in the Aragon region.
Perez was transferred to Miguel Servet Hospital Zaragoza in critical condition after medical workers treated him at the scene. Despite emergency efforts, he could not be saved.
The basketball player’s death has raised questions about railway safety at smaller stations where trains pass through without stopping. The investigation by the Guardia Civil will examine all circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, including visibility conditions, signage and the layout of the crossing area where Perez was struck.
The loss of the 22-year-old player represents a significant blow to CB Octavus de Utebo, where Perez had established himself as a key member of the team. His dual commitments to athletics and academics, balancing basketball with architecture studies, exemplified his dedication and ambition. The club’s decision to suspend matches and training sessions acknowledges not only the loss of a talented player but also a valued member of their basketball family.
