Ortwin Linger

Who was Ortwin Linger?

Ortwin Linger was a Dutch-Suriname footballer. During his career he played for HFC Haarlem. He was a passenger on Surinam Airways Flight PY764 when it crashed in Paramaribo on June 7, 1989. He died three days later, at 21 years of age, due to his injuries suffered in the crash. He went to the same high school as Steve van Dorpel, who also died in the crash.

Linger was born in Paramaribo, but grew up in Amsterdam, in the Bijlmer area. He started his football career at amateur side FC Abcoude and later at JOS Watergraafsmeer where he would play until he was 16 years old. His next step up to a professional career was joining the youth squads of HFC Haarlem. His dream came true after he was promoted into the first-team squad and he made his professional debut.

He was invited by Colourful 11 founder Sonny Hasnoe to be part of the team travelling to Suriname to play in the "Boxel Kleurrijk Tournament" against three Surinamese teams. His friend, AFC Ajax goalkeeper Stanley Menzo, was also called up, but was told to stay with his club. Menzo, however, ignored this edict and went as well, taking an earlier flight.

On June 7, 1989, Surinam Airways Flight PY764 crashed during approach to Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport, killing 176 of the 187 passengers on board, making it the worst ever aviation disaster in Suriname's history. Among those killed were 15 members of the 18-member Colourful 11 contingent.