Local handball fraternity is mourning the sudden death of a key APR Handball Club player, Yvan Shimirwa, who passed on Monday evening in a road accident in Gatsibo District.

He was 27.

He died when a Fuso truck loaded with grains from Nyagatare en route to Kigali – that he was travelling in along with two others –, swerved off the road and rolled downhill between Kiziguro and Kiramuruzi trading centres.

Shimirwa died on spot while the other two occupants, the driver and a young girl that was returning to school for the new academic year, sustained serious injuries.

The two were by press time still admitted at CHUK.

Speaking to Times Sport , APR Handball Club head coach Anaclet Bagirishya described the death of their star player as a great loss to his family, club and country.

"It’s a difficult situation for us; he has been one of our best players, he was a genuine talent, was social and humble, it’s a big blow to us,” said Bagirishya.

He said Shimirwa’s contribution to the development of the game in Rwanda will not be forgotten.Shimirwa has been with APR since completing high school three years ago.

He was the second born in a family of five – three boys and two girls.

Shimirwa was laid to rest yesterday at his ancestral home in Gasecye cell, Mutete sector in Gicumbi District.

Meanwhile, a local football fan, Jackson Mbonigaba Muyehe, also passed away on Saturday on his way from Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali where he had watched Rwanda lose 2-1 against neighbours DR Congo in one of the quarterfinal matches of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The deceased, who had reportedly been married for just months, died when a taxi-moto he was travelling on got involved in an accident involving a trailer in Kicukiro. 

The motorcyclist, identified as Jean-Pierre Mutabazi, 40, also died on spot.

The motorcyclist was trying to overtake the truck from the wrong side and then sought to avoid a female pedestrian, getting entangled under the heavy vehicle in the process.

He was thirty and was due to be laid to rest yesterday.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw