The former rugby player Urtzi Abanzabalegi died this Monday while carrying out electrical work at the Pierburg S.A. company, in Abadiño (Bizkaia), as reported by the ELA union in a statement.
Urtzi, who was 46 years old, was working at the Rheinmetall Automotive company – formerly Pierburg – when he received a strong electric shock that ended his life.
As reported by Diario Vasco, the work accident took place around 9:50 a.m. and it was the deceased's own colleagues who immediately notified the emergency services.
Despite the efforts of the emergency and health services (several fire crews, an ambulance and even a helicopter) they have been unable to do anything to save Abanzabalegi's life.
ELA has indicated that the health services have attended the scene but have not been able to do anything to save the worker's life. Furthermore, he has pointed out that there are now 42 workers who have died in 2023 in Euskadi and Navarra and, specifically, the ninth to die in Bizkaia.
Finally, he stated that, when he collects more data on this work accident, he will report on the actions to report this new accident.
The union center states that the employee is a worker at the Electricidad Anboto company and was working in Pierburg at the time of the accident.
Urtzi Abanzabalegi combined his work as an operator at the Electricidad Anboto company with that of head of the men's sports area of Eibar Rugby Taldea, who have shared their condolences on social networks: "Today our colleague, manager and former player, Urtzi Abanzabalegi, has died in a work accident. From these lines our strongest and dearest hug to your family, friends and relatives. It is a very sad day for our club and the entire rugby family of Euskal Herria. That is why all club activities are suspended."
Abanzabalegi also played for teams such as Eibar Rugby Taldea, Getxo, Stade Hendayais, Bera Bera, the Euskadi national team and Ordizia, a club that dedicated a few words of farewell to him following his tragic death.
