Pelayo Novo, a former Elche CF player who helped his team reach the First Division in 2013 as part of a record-setting squad, has died at the age of 32 after a long struggle following a train accident in La Corredoria, Oviedo.
A sorrowful surprise swept through the franciverde family with the news. Novo stood with Elche for three seasons. After the historic promotion, he did not remain in the top tier with the club and spent time on loan at Córdoba. His career later saw spells on loan with other teams connected to the franciverde banner, including stays in France, across Lugo, and in Romania’s Cluj region. After parting ways with the Martínez Valero club, he played for Albacete before retiring from football following a stroke sustained after a fall from a hotel window in Huesca.
Pelayo Novo: “My current game is to live and I want to win it”
iñaki dufour (efe)
Pelayo Novo faced a fatal fall at a hotel in Huesca that left him fighting for his life. He spent 51 days in the hospital and began a lengthy rehabilitation process, slowly rebuilding strength and resilience in the wake of the accident.
In the months that followed, Novo redirected his passion toward wheelchair tennis, finding a new arena to test his determination. He earned a place among the national standings, securing the 12th spot in the absolute national rankings as part of his inspiring comeback story.
The incident occurred near La Malata park in the Oviedo district of La Corredoria, shortly before eight in the evening. For reasons still under investigation, Novo was involved in an incident on the rail line between Oviedo and Siero, which runs along the Renfe corridor. Emergency services were alerted at 7:55 p.m., and the situation was handled by the National Police and the Emergency Medical Care Service as the investigation proceeded.
At the time of the accident Novo remained connected with Elche, a club with which he once shared a home in the communal life of the city. When circumstances allowed, he returned to his roots in Elche, maintaining ties with the club and its supporters as a symbol of his early success and perseverance.