At least 69 dead after high-speed train collision in Toledo

At least 69 people died in a train collision in Urda, Toledo, Spain, on October 28. Among the deceased was Julieta Gallego, a 24-year-old long jumper and member of the Madrid-based club AD Sprint. The Spanish Athletics Federation and her club confirmed the news on social media platforms.

The accident occurred when a high-speed Renfe AVE train carrying 378 passengers struck an Iryo train from behind. The Iryo train, which held 147 passengers, was already stopped near the locality. Ministry of Transport data cited by ABC reported that the impact caused carriages to derail and fall off an embankment.

Gallego had celebrated her 24th birthday on October 9. Although she lived in Germany, she remained part of the jump group at AD Sprint in Madrid. The club described her as a promising athlete who also competed in the 60-meter dash.

In 2023, Gallego recorded a personal best of 5.90 meters in the long jump. She achieved this mark during the Spanish Under-23 Indoor Championships held in Antequera, Málaga. Her performance placed her among the top junior athletes in the country during that season.

AD Sprint stated that the loss of Gallego is a difficult day for the entire club family. The organization expressed its condolences to her relatives, friends, and teammates, noting that she will always remain part of the Sprint family. The Spanish Athletics Federation also offered its support to those close to the athlete.

The club plans to honor Gallego with a moment of silence on Thursday. The tribute will take place at the athletics tracks at the schools in Paracuellos and Santa Ana, both located in Madrid. This ceremony is scheduled to follow the initial reports of the tragic accident.

The collision in Urda has drawn widespread grief within the sports community. Gallego’s death adds to the toll of the October 28 disaster, which remains one of the deadliest rail accidents in recent Spanish history. The investigation into the cause of the rear-end collision continues.