Boris Vukcevic in critical condition

HOFFENHEIM, Germany (AP)

TRAGIC SPORTS DEATHS

Remembering the many athletes sports lost way too soon.

Hoffenheim midfielder Boris Vukcevic is fighting for his life following a serious traffic accident on Friday.

The Bundesliga club said in a statement that Vukcevic was ''seriously injured'' after his car was involved in a ''head on collision with a truck'' in the early afternoon.

''The 22-year-old suffered life-threatening head injuries on impact and had to be brought by helicopter to Heidelberg,'' the statement said.

''Vukcevic was operated on immediately and is (now) in an induced coma. His condition is critical, the outlook currently not foreseeable.''

The accident occurred for reasons as yet unknown on the road between Hoffenheim and Heidelberg, in southwestern Germany. The truck driver was treated for minor injuries.

''This news has shaken us,'' Hoffenheim general manager Andreas Mueller said. ''The team, coach, everyone here is in shock. Our thoughts are with Boris and his family.''

Vukcevic scored six goals in 78 Bundesliga games for Hoffenheim since switching from Stuttgart's youth setup in 2008.