Bundesliga - Germany keeper Enke 'commits suicide'

Eurosport - Tue, 10 Nov 19:59:00 2009

Germany and Hanover goalkeeper Robert Enke has died at a level crossing after apparently walking into the path of an oncoming train.

FOOTBALL robert enke hannover 2009 - 0

He was 32 years of age. His body was found in Neustadt am Ruebenberge, 25km north-east of Hanover.

"First indications point to suicide," a media officer for the Lower Saxony police told Reuters.

Lower Saxony Police spokesman Stefan Wittke said: "At 18:25 (local time) he was run over by a regional express train running between Hamburg and Bremen.

"The train was travelling at the speed of 160kph."

Hanover president Martin Kind was returning from a meeting with the German FA on Tuesday when he was telephoned with the news.

"You expect many things, but not something like that," he told German news agency DPA. "I do not know how and why it happened, but I do not think that it had anything to do with football."

Enke's two-year-old daughter Lara died two years ago from a heart defect. He and his wife adopted a two-month-old girl in May.

The German FA stated: "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'."

Enke became Germany's number one goalkeeper when Jens Lehmann retired after Euro 2008 but had just returned from a bacterial bowel infection which ruled him out of his country's last four games.

He played in Hanover's 2-2 draw with Hamburg at the weekend but was not selected for the upcoming friendlies against Chile and Ivory Coast.

Loew said he was still his first choice for the World Cup in South Africa next year, and that the decision was based on his recent return to fitness. He had eight caps.

Enke, born in Jena in the former East Germany, also played for Borussia Moenchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife.

Stunned Hanover fans lit candles outside the club's headquarters after learning of the tragedy.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

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  1. hey enke you were the 1 of the best goalkeeper in the­ world of soccer. its a very sad news 4 me ... ot only­ germany but the whole football fans frm the corner of­ the world will miss you ... may you rest in peace.. we­ love you... roque Frm INDIA

    From rajeshsindalkar, on Sat 21 Nov 12:42PM

  2. It's sad to learn that life has been lost like that­ as such leaving a gap in the football world and again­ the family which has been left behind.Probably if the­ world gave a hand to his personal problems life would­ have been spared.May his soul R.I.P

    From Edwin­ Lilongwe,Malawi

    From Edwin, on Mon 16 Nov 10:03AM

  3. RIP ENKE.... May your Keep soul rest in PP

    From Muluken, on Fri 13 Nov 7:52AM

  4. It is really indeed sad to have the current GERMANY­ first chice keeper commiting suicide in an explained­ circumstances. players should take interest in the­ affairs of each other including coaches. The deceased­ from what i have noted so far was going through­ challenging moments which needed a shoulder to hang on­ but no one was there. Difficult situations surrounding­ him, his sickness must have weaked his spirit and men­ and women of God where no were to be found to encourage­ and lift his soul. May His Soul rest in peace

    From dominickangwa, on Thu 12 Nov 6:54AM

  5. R.I.P complete shock to me when i read this article,­ one of the best goalkeepers in the world such a tragic­ loss too his family & the sport.

    From dom *, on Thu 12 Nov 3:16AM

  6. Er wird nie vergessen

    From SAFC Babe, on Thu 12 Nov 12:27AM

  7. Rob Enke R.I.P, you are a great person, great­ sportsman, GREAT FATHER. We will never forget you- S.L­ Benfica (one of the great goal keepers we­ saw).
    Respect!!

    From nunfaria, on Wed 11 Nov 10:07PM

  8. Sadden...... RIP ENKE.... May your Keep soul rest in PP

    From beemellisa, on Wed 11 Nov 9:23PM

  9. all tears and love goes for you, great goli, great man.­ we will miss u
    from IRAN

    From aj, on Wed 11 Nov 7:48PM

  10. As a Goalkeeper,one of the VERY BEST. May you rest in­ peace.MAN-UTD FAN.xx

    From selfpitycity, on Wed 11 Nov 7:46PM

  11. My Apologies to Nalin Comment 743.
    It should have read­ coment 740.
    The low Life who made the comment in 740­ got me a bit hot under the collar,hence my error.
    Once­ again apologies to you.

    From eifion.hughes, on Wed 11 Nov 6:59PM

  12. comment 743.
    Funky, why dont you go outside and look­ for The Rock you Recently Crawled from Under.
    You Poor­ Pathetic Excuse for A Human Being.

    From eifion.hughes, on Wed 11 Nov 6:54PM

  13. RIP Enke.
    From USA

    From nalin, on Wed 11 Nov 6:24PM

  14. RIP Enke.. you're gonna be missed.. tragic, sad...­

    Ugur from Turkey, Eskisehirspor Fan

    From danyelsikorski, on Wed 11 Nov 4:59PM

  15. may his soul go 2 heaven and 2­ germany♥♥ R.I.P. enke :(:( im sry­ :(

    From hadi.ajam, on Wed 11 Nov 4:05PM

  16. Robert Enke is gone;
    His job on earth is done;
    Ashes to­ ashes, dust to dust;
    If GOD dont get him, the devil­ must.
    R.I.P man, the world of soccer will miss you

    From Ibee, on Wed 11 Nov 3:34PM

  17. i was watching the hamburg v hannover highlights then i­ turned on my computer and the news shocked me RIP­ Robert....we will all miss you

    From chelseafc_glory, on Wed 11 Nov 2:52PM

  18. I cannot say i'm the biggest soccer fan, but just­ hearing of another human committing suicide saddens my­ heart so. This obviously means he was dealing with so­ much in his personal life that the world was not aware­ of so we can not judge him, except to pray for his­ soul. My condolences to his wife, family and all his­ fans...RIP Enke.

    From Cindy, on Wed 11 Nov 2:52PM

  19. I have not heard of him, but i'm saddened by the­ news that a footballer committed suicide, and a keeper­ at that, my favorite position to play.

    From Gwapito.com, on Wed 11 Nov 2:51PM

  20. I feel very sad to learn of this tragedy. I pray that­ God who alone reads our mind and sees our hearts will­ grant dear Enke eternal rest. May the Lord console and­ comfort his dear wife and family. Enke's departure­ is like leaving the field before the game is­ over!

    Rev. Alex Rebello

    From Rebello, on Wed 11 Nov 1:14PM
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