Rafael Henzel, a reporter who survived the tragic Chapecoense plane crash in 2016, has passed away.

The radio journalist, 45, was confirmed as dead by the Brazilian club themselves on Tuesday.

Reports in Brazil have explained that Henzel collapsed during a football match in the city of Chapeco, eventually being pronounced dead despite being rushed to hospital.

A heart attack is believed to be the cause of death.

"Throughout his brilliant career, Rafael told the story of Chapecoense," the club explained on its website after the tragedy.

Rafael Henzel's tragic passing

"He was a symbol of the club's reconstruction and he will always be remembered in the green and white pages of this institution."

Henzel was a highly respected figure in the community and after the tragic plane crash three years ago, returned to his job at the radio station.

The reporter had been just one of six survivors from the tragic crash, while 71 of the passengers sadly did not survive.

The 2016 plane crash

The flight had been transporting the team to the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final in Medellin when it crashed into a hillside. Three players were amongst the survivors.

Henzel spoke to the BBC about the crash shortly afterwards, explaining: "When we were 10-15 minutes away from landing, the engines went off because the plane had ran out of fuel.

"I put my seat belt on and I thought that the engines would go back in a few minutes. But that didn't happen.

"My dream was to come back to my city, feel the ground under my feet. And this finally happened. It was a very special moment."

Our condolences to Henzel's family and everyone affected by his passing.