Emiliano Sala's father Horacio dies of heart attack months after son killed in plane crash

Emiliano Sala, left, and his father Horacio

Emiliano Sala's father has died of a heart attack three months after his footballer son was tragically killed in a plane crash.

Horacio Sala, 58, died at his home in Progreso in Argentina's Santa Fe province, local media reported on Friday.

Progreso mayor Julio Muller told radio station La Red of Mr Sala's death. He said he died during the night and paramedics were unable to save him.

"The partner of Horacio called me at five in the morning. The doctors were already there. When he left his home, he had already died," Mr Muller said.

"He could never get over Emi's death."

Horacio Sala, father of Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, has died
AP

Emiliano Sala was killed, along with pilot David Ibbotson, when the Piper Malibu aircraft they were travelling in came down in the English Channel on January 21, two days after Cardiff had made him their record signing.

The 28-year-old was preparing to start a new career in the Premier League after being sold by French topflight club Nantes.

Horacio Sala at his son's funeral in Progreso in February
Getty Images

His body was pulled from the wreckage on February 7 but the body of Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Lincolnshire, has never been found.

The father said he was "desperate" after the underwater search found the crashed aircraft.

Emiliano Sala - In pictures

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"I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I am desperate," Mr Sala told local broadcaster Cronica TV.

He later said the family had "drawn strength” from the fact that their son was fulfilling his dream of playing in Europe.

In February, thousands of people including Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock attended the striker's funeral in Progreso.

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