Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: Czech national hockey coach dies in accident

Czech Republic national ice hockey team coach, and former Pittsburgh Penguins coach, Ivan Hlinka died Monday after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash, an official said.

Hlinka was taken to a hospital for treatment where he died, Czech national team spokesman Pavel Barta said.

The accident took place near Karlovy Vary, 69 miles west of Prague, at about 11 p.m., Barta said.

Hlinka's car collided with a truck, he said.

"Ivan Hlinka was hospitalized with serious injuries and despite all efforts he didn't survive," said Zdenka Markova, spokeswoman for Karlovy Vary's hospital.

Hlinka died at about 1:30 p.m., she said. He was 54.

Hlinka, who was reappointed Czech coach in May, led the Czech Republic to gold at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

He then coached the Penguins in 2001, taking them to the third round of the playoffs. He had a 42-32-9 record with the team before being replaced four games into the 2001-02 season.