Video: Tragic footballer DIES after injuring spine during failed somersault goal celebration

A FOOTBALLER has died after suffering a serious spinal injury during his somersault goal celebration.

Peter Biaksangzuala, 23, fell awkwardly on his head after scoring the equaliser for Bethlehem Vengthlang FC last week.

The Mizoram Premier League match in Northeast India was being televised as well as being watched live by thousands of supporters.

Teammates were about to jump on the midfielder to celebrate the goal when they realised he was seriously hurt.

He was stretchered off the pitched and rushed to hospital where doctors operated to try and repair his spine which was badly damaged, local media reports.

But Biaksangzuala died on Sunday after his condition deteriorated in hospital.

Lal Hmar, a football official in Mizoram state, told reporters in capital Aizawl that the tragic young footballer had agreed to donate his eyes before his death.

"Peter was a very talented player who dreamt of playing in the national league," Hmar said. "His death has come as a big shock to all of us. We all thought he will recover."

Hmar said the local association was planning to hold a charity match in Biaksangzuala's memory.

Biaksangzuala was playing for his local team against Chanmari West FC when the shocking accident happened in the 60th minute.

He hammered home a rebound to bring his team level at 1-1 and attempted the back flip which went tragically wrong.

His team went on to lose the match 3-2.

While serious injuries are common in professional football, deaths as a result of events on the pitch are rare.

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