AN Indian footballer has died from severe spinal-cord damage after attempting a somersault to celebrate a goal.

Bethlehem Vengthlang midfielder Peter Biak­sangzuala, 23, died on Sunday at a hospital in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram after the incident in Tuesday's match in the third-tier Mizoram Premier League.

Mizoram Football Association secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar said: "We are shocked by the case. We at the Mizoram Football Association did all we could but could not save him."

After scoring the equaliser against Chanmari West, a flipping Biaksangzuala landed awkwardly and was lying unconscious as his team-mates surrounded him and gestured for help.

Mr Hmar said: "The association president Lal Thanzara, who is also the state health minister, did all that was possible even though he was [not at ]the stadium."