Schalke 04 - 1. FC Nürnberg - 19/11/2011

Source : The Associated Press

German fan loses arm after being hit by train

Cologne police initially began an attempted homicide inquiry believing the man was pushed, but a state prosecutor told the Nuernberger Zeitung newspaper that witnesses gave a different story.

A Nuremberg football fan lost an arm after being hit by a train following an altercation with opposing supporters at a station. The 19-year-old man was in a group of fans returning from Nuremberg's 4-0 loss at Schalke on Saturday when it became involved in a row with Mainz supporters at Cologne train station.

He is thought to have fallen in front of an oncoming high-speed train. Emergency surgery failed to save his right arm.

Cologne police initially began an attempted homicide inquiry believing the man was pushed, but a state prosecutor told the Nuernberger Zeitung newspaper that witnesses gave a different story.

"They stated that the 19-year-old was running over the tracks when he fell in front of the train," state prosecutor Alf Willwacher said.

Nuremberg director Martin Bader said the club heard the news with "disbelief and great sadness." He denied the fan was a hooligan and offered him and his family Nuremberg's "full support."

"We still don't know the exact circumstances. We can't and won't comment on the matter as long as the police continue with the investigation," Bader said.