German goalkeeper Robert Enke dies in apparent suicide

German international football goalkeeper, Robert Enke, died after being hit by a train on November 10, 2009, at Neustadt am Rubenberge, in what police suspect is a suicide. A sad news for all the fans of this soccer player since he is expected to play for Germany at the World Cup.

“The victim is apparently national team goalkeeper Robert Enke from Hannover 96,” a media officer for the Niedersachsen police told Reuters. “The first police indications are that it was a suicide.”

“The German team has learned of the death of Robert Enke with great shock. National team coach Joachim Loew and manager Oliver Bierhoff said ‘we are all shocked, we are speechless”, German soccer federation president Theo Zwanziger said.

Police says Robert walked in front of an oncoming train not far from his home. The train drivers said they saw a man on the track, hit the break but, unfortunately, could not stop in time. His car was found near the scene, unlocked, and with his wallet on the seat.

News of Enke’s death was announced by Martin Kind, Hannover’s president. Kind said Enke had appeared “unstable” recently. He and his wife lost their 2-year-old daughter to a heart ailment in 2006.

“You expect many things, but not something like that,” Kind said. “I do not know how and why it happened, but I do not think that it had anything to do with football.”

Robert Enke, 32, is considered as one of the most prominent player in the soccer world. It is a great loss and tragedy indeed. Hundreds of fans lit candles and placed flowers outside the Hannover stadium on Tuesday night in memory of their captain.

Rest in peace, Robert.