Bryan Rufenach, a 23-year-old Canadian hockey player for the Toledo Walleye team was killed in the early morning on Tuesday, US news site Toledo Blade reported.
Rufenach had climbed onto an empty train at Grindalwald station together with a childhood friend and touched the overhead power cable. His friend, with whom he had been touring Europe by train, sounded the alarm and tried in vain to resuscitate him. The player died as a result of his injuries.
The two were due to return home at the end of the week, online news site 20 Minuten reported.
“I’m still at a loss for words. I can’t believe what happened. It’s so tragic,” teammate Phil Rauch told the Ohio newspaper Toledo Blade.
Rufenach had signed his first professional hockey contract only last year. He had been spotted by Walleye and had become the team’s third leading scorer having played in over 50 games last season.
“He had a really good year and was looking to build off that. All of the sudden he’s gone,” teammate Kyle Page told the Toledo Blade.
“He was well liked by all his teammates. He always had a big smile on his face. The entire team’s thoughts and prayers are with Bryan’s family,” said Walleye coach Nick Vitucci.
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