Industria Kielce mourns graphic designer Szymon Zaczyński, 20, killed with his father in crash

Crash on national road 78

Szymon Zaczyński, a 20-year-old member of the marketing and communications team at Industria Kielce, died on Wednesday 7 October together with his 50-year-old father. Police in Zawiercie said a fire in a semi-trailer on national road 78 caused a traffic jam, and about 1.5 kilometres before that spot eight vehicles collided, including four lorries and four passenger cars. The Volkswagen carrying the two men was crushed, and both died at the scene.

Trip to Kielce

The two were travelling to Kielce for the club's evening Champions League match against SC Magdeburg. For Zaczyński it would have been the first time to meet the players and staff in person, although he had worked with the club for two months producing graphic designs. He also prepared visual material for the Polish Handball Association (ZPRP). Industria lost the match 30:35, its first Champions League defeat of the season.

Club statement

Industria Kielce named the victims in an official statement published on Thursday 8 October. Marketing head Norbert Rzeszut also disclosed on social media that the two men were on their way to the match. The club described Zaczyński in these words:

Although he worked with us for a relatively short time, Szymon managed to become an important part of the team. He was a young, ambitious creator who devoted great commitment to developing his passion for graphics and sport.

The statement also said the club had been glad to watch his development and to entrust him with further tasks. The Polish Handball Association has also sent its condolences.

Sequence of events

The key moments reported so far are shown below.