Three players escaped death by not being on the tragic flight.

Martinuccio, Marcelo Boeck, and Matheus Saroli all had different reasons for not being on the ill-fated flight that killed 75 people.

Martinuccio, the striker for Chapecoense FC, had been recovering from an injury for a month and a half. This was the reason he was unable to be on the flight to Colombia and was fortunate to escape death.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Marcelo Boeck's absence was due to club permission to stay in Brazil to celebrate his birthday. The former Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) goalkeeper turned 32 last Monday.

The last Chapecoense member to miraculously survive was Matheus Saroli, the son of coach Caio Junior. While his father was among the 75 fatalities, Matheus missed his flight because he forgot his passport.

The three players who escaped unharmed thanks to being allowed to stay at Chapecoense's home ground were stunned to receive the sad news in the locker room. Photo: Sun

"My sister and my mother are both fine. Right now we just want some privacy, especially my mother. Thank you all for the messages of encouragement. I'm in Sao Paulo today. I didn't get on the plane because I forgot my passport. We have strength and will overcome this tragedy. Thank you everyone," Matheus wrote on Facebook.

The flight carrying the Chapecoense team crashed in central Colombia, near the city of Medellin.Chapecoense traveled to Colombia to prepare for the first leg of the Copa Sundamericana final against Atletico Nacional, a title similar to the Europa League in Europe.

According to on-site investigations, only six of the 81 people on board the plane survived. Among them were four players.Chapecoense.

According to VNE