The news was very short but quite shocking. “Majid Golamnejad has died.”
It was not the first time that a footballer dies at a young age, and probably Golamnejad would not be the last athlete to experience death at such early age. But the death of our former Team Melli player was so sudden and strange that it caused the gossip market to engage in full force within a few hours. Dozens of reasons and speculations were given for the unexpected death of the 35 years old player, not to mention the usual fabrications of facts that is rife in Iran.
From stroke to choking to depression to head trauma, all such cases were mentioned as reasons for the death of a likable former national team figure, and the rumors were so hot and believable that few individuals actually sought the real story and the true reason for Gholamnejad’s death. The only thing which was common in all these rumors was that this accident happened in the water.
MehrNews determined to pursue facts behind this tragic accident. The fact is Gholamnejad had neither had a history of heart disease, nor suffered a stroke, nor did he jump from heights into the water, nor was there any dives.
The real story. On Friday 14th September 2018 , Majid Gholamnejad, along with his wife and son, and several friends with their families were on a leisure trip to Siyahoo region in Hormozgan province , about 65 km north of Bandar Abbas. The area is scenic with mountains, rivers and plantation. It is a popular tourist attraction for the locals. The group reached the bank of Naband River, and intended to cross it to the other side of the water. Gholamnejad, who was a good swimmer, volunteered to find a good crossing spot. He ventured in to the shallow section of the river which seemed to be safe for crossing. His intention was to lead and find the safest path to cross. While walking in relatively shallow waters, he slipped, lost his balance and fell into the rushing water. In matter of seconds the strong current took him towards the deep part of the river.
Before the deceased could react, he was caught up in the whirlpool in the deep part of the water, and while he was screaming for help, he suddenly disappeared under and this was the last time that deceased was seen alive. All of this happened while his wife, his son and other companions were watching helplessly.
Gholamnejad’s wife immediately fainted on watching that shocking scene, the efforts of the companions to find him in the river’s water were ineffective and inevitably the emergency personnel were called. The accident happened around 11 am and Gholamnejad’s dead body was found around 13:30 by divers who responded to the rescue call and explored the area.
The deceased body was then transferred to the forensic department, and after the autopsy it became clear that the deceased first suffered from drowning and afterwards his head hit the river bed rocks, which did not actually caused his death.
After the incident, Bahman Dehghan and Kazem Burjloo, who were close friends, traveled to Bandar Abbas on behalf of the Saipa Alborz, the club where Gholamnejad played most of his career. Arash Borhani, another close friend of the deceased, who was in Bandar Abbas at the time of the accident, also joined Dehghan and Burjloo to accompany the grieving deceased’s father and help with the administrative process of transferring his body to his native town.
On Saturday, and after the result of the autopsy was confirmed that the cause of death was due drowning, the lifeless body of the footballer was handed over to his close friend, Bahman Dehgan then his body was shrouded and flown to Tehran where it was then taken by Ambulance to Rasht his final burial place.
The late Majid Gholamnejad made his name in football while playing for Saipa Club. During the coaching of Ali Daei, he made 17 appearances for Team Melli and also scored a goal. Apart from Saipa, he also played for Pas Hamadan and Esteghlal Tehran. Gholamnejad spent his final years in football with Shahrdari Bandar Abbas team in the second division and after the end of his career he settled in Bandar Abbas to manage a sports and fitness club.
The body of the late Gholamnejad is buried in Rasht city, in the village of of Hindkhala, the birthplace of his father.
May God bless his soul.