German coach Stefan Henze who died in Rio saves four lives through organ transplants

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Stefan Henze, the German Olympic canoe slalom coachwho died after a car crash in Rio,has saved the lives of four people by being an organ donor.

Henze was involved in crash near the Olympic park in the Brazilian city last Friday. He was taken to hospital with head injuries and underwent emergency brain surgery but died on Monday as a result of the injuries, The Independent reported.

Henze, who was in Rio as part of the German canoe slalom coaching team, was also a former Olympian himself having won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the canoe slalom doubles.

According to German media, Henze’s organs have subsequently been donated to four people.

“Heart, liver and both kidneys have been successfully transplanted. Thus he has saved four lives,” a spokesperson from the Brazilian health ministry told the German newspaperDie Welt.Henze's family, who travelled to Rio after the accident, reportedly gave their consent to the transplants.

Following news of the 35-year-old’s death, the German Olympic committeeDOSBsaid : “Words cannot describe what we feel in the team after this terrible loss.”