Chapecoense crash survivor Neto resumes training

Chapecoense defender Helio Neto has resumed training with the Brazilian club, almost five months after a plane crash that killed 19 of his teammates.

The 31-year-old was one of six survivors of the doomed LaMia flight, which slammed into a mountain near Medellin, Colombia, in November after running out of fuel, reports Xinhua news agency.

In addition to head and lung trauma, Neto suffered spinal and knee ligament injuries from which he is still recovering.

"Neto returned to training with the team today," Chapecoense said on their official Instagram account on Wednesday, alongside picture of the center-back running.

Seventy-one people died in the air disaster, which occurred just two days before Chapecoense were due to play Colombia's Atletico Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana final.

Chapecoense were later declared winners of the prestigious tournament at the request of Atletico Nacional.

Fellow crash survivor Alan Ruschel resumed training with the team last month but has yet to return to their matchday squad.

--IANS

ajb/vt