One of the six survivors of the plane crash that left most of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense dead in 2016 just died of a heart attack after a soccer game, according to new reports.
Henzel, three Chapecoense players, and two LaMia airline workers survived the November 2016 crash near Madellin, Colombia. The jet, carrying 77 people, ran out of fuel and crashed. Authorities are still investigating the incident.
The Chapecoense team was on its way to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana before the crash. Later, the Chapecoense team was declared posthumous champions of South America's second most prestigious tournament, according to the Associated Press.
"When we were 10-15 minutes away from landing, the engines went off because the plane had ran out of fuel," he told BBC. "I put my seat belt on and I thought that the engines would go back in a few minutes. But that didn't happen."
Despite having seven broken ribs, Henzel survived the crash. He said he couldn't remember the moment of the crash and that he was the second-to-last passenger to be rescued.
"My dream was to come back to my city, feel the ground under my feet. And this finally happened. It was a very special moment," he said.
In 2017, Henzel released a book titled "Live as if you were about to leave," where he talked about the impact the accident had on his life.
"The Chapecoense Football Association is publicly expressing its deep regret and sadness at the news of the death of journalist Rafael Henzel, which occurred Tuesday night," the statement read.
"During his brilliant career, Rafael narrated, in an exceptional way, the history of Chapecoense. He became a symbol of the rebuilding of the club and, in the green and white pages of this institution, there will always be a remembrance of his example of overcoming and everything he has done, with love, for the team, for the city of Chapecó and all those who love football.
"We wish, with all our heart, that the family has the strength to face another difficult time and this irreparable loss. The feelings and prayers of all the chapecoenses, fans and listeners, are with you."
Henzel was scheduled to report on the game between Chapecoense and Criciúma on Wednesday.
Following Henzel's death, the Chapecoense team asked the Brazilian soccer confederation to postpone its cup match in honor of Henzel, but the soccer body refused, according to the Associated Press.
The three Chapecoense players that survived the crash—defenders Alan Ruschel and Heilo Zemper Neto, as well as goalkeeper Jakson Follmann—attended his funeral.
Henzel is survived by his wife, Jussara Ersico, and their son.