Exactly 12 years ago the Lokomotiv hockey team died. The worst day in the history of the KHL happened on September 7, 2011: at the Yaroslavl Tunoshna airport, a few seconds after takeoff, a Yak-42 plane crashed with the players and the entire headquarters on board.
Why did the tragedy happen?
The team flew out from Yaroslavl for the first match of the season against Dynamo Minsk. The players, coaching staff, doctor and massage therapists were on the plane. After the crash, 37 passengers and 7 crew members died on the spot, and one hockey player was taken to the hospital, where he soon died. Only flight attendant Alexander Sizov managed to survive.
The plane crashed during takeoff: it was unable to reach the required speed and rolled off the runway, but still took off. But it did not gain altitude and collided with a radio beacon antenna, and then crashed into the ground on the bank of the Tunoshonka River, broke into several parts and caught fire.
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The cause of the tragedy was officially recognized as a crew error. During takeoff of the Yak-42, one of the pilots pressed the brake pedals. The plane rolled off the runway, took off from the ground and collided with a radio beacon.
What consequences did the tragedy have for the world of sports?
On September 7, the opening match of the new season took place in Ufa — between Salavat Yulaev and Atlant. When the news came about the death of Lokomotiv, the match was stopped in the 15th minute of the first period. KHL President Alexander Medvedev came out and announced the death of the Yaroslavl team, ending the match.
The only survivor was the young 26-year-old striker Alexander Galimov. He climbed out of the burning plane on his own and was taken to the hospital with burns to 90% of his body and respiratory tract.
![Alexander Galimov fought for his life, but died in the hospital Alexander Galimov fought for his life, but died in the hospital](http://southampton.top/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/9b21721b7880cb8849ad022e02fa85f8_cropped_579x359.png)
Five days later, Galimov, for whom the whole country was worried, died. Also tragic is the fate of Yuri Urychev, who could not play in Minsk due to injury and disqualification, but decided to support his partners.
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For several years, KHL matches were not held on September 7, but then the tradition was broken. However, they did not forget the tragedy: on the 12th anniversary, the KHL published a post on Memorial Day. “09/07/2011. “Lokomotiv” Yaroslavl. We remember,” the press service wrote.