BREAKING: Cricket world shocked at tragic death of legendary umpire in horrific traffic accident

The world of cricket is in shock following the tragic death of South African umpire Rudi Koertzen in a fatal traffic accident.

The legendary South African cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen, has passed away today, Tuesday, August 9, at the age of 73. While making his way home from a golf tournament, Koertzen’s vehicle was involved in a horrific traffic accident. Three other people were killed in the head-on collision near Riversdale.

The world renowned cricket umpire, Rudi Koertzen, and three other people were killed in a head-on collision near Riversdale on Tuesday morning @OfficialCSA @HomeOfCricket @BCBtigers https://t.co/jQIYOgeuqT

— AlgoaFMNews (@AlgoaFMNews) August 9, 2022

Koertzen died in a horrific car crash while on the way back from a golf tournament. His death was confirmed to the South African website Algoa FM News by his son, Rudi Jr: “Rudi suffered fatal injuries after an accident near Stilbaai, between Cape Town and Gqeberha”.

“My father went to a golf tournament with some friends and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf”, he added.

Koertzen was famous for the iconic manner in which he slowly raised his index finger into the air to declare a batsman out. As a result, he was dubbed ‘the slow finger of doom’.

This Wednesday, August 10, the South African national cricket team is due to play England at Lords. They will wear black armbands in homage to their late countryman.

Tributes from cricket personalities and fans filled social media:

Rudi Koertzen officiated in 331 international matches, the second-most by any umpire.

Farewell to one of the earliest members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. pic.twitter.com/QN5JJBcv1F

— ICC (@ICC) August 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1557029553515667463?s=20&t=HykP9lvTwFGJ2ZIbCQOYpA

Rudi Koertzen was a very competent umpire who loved his job and the game of cricket. He was a wonderful gentleman on and off the field of play. Really saddened to hear the news of his passing. Condolences to his family and friends #OneOfTheGreatUmpires #CricketFamily

— BeefyBotham (@BeefyBotham) August 9, 2022

RIP Rudi Koertzen, the slow finger of doom. Some of the best umpiring aesthetics I’ve seen pic.twitter.com/XAqTSfDqS0

— Tom Carpenter (@Carpo34) August 9, 2022

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