Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse animator Luis de la Rosa died at the age of 34 on Wednesday June 24 when he was hit by a train while attending the Annecy Animation Festival. The accident occurred on the railroad tracks running alongside Avenue de Brognya. The train conductor reported the incident at around 8pm, according to French regional newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré. The area is secured by a fence and off-limits to the public.

It was reported the talented artist had been walking along the tracks when he was struck by a Léman Express train and dragged for several metres. The driver had spotted him and sounded the horn to warn him of the train’s approach but he didn't move out of the way and was killed instantly. Firefighters and a medical team were dispatched to the scene but pronounced him dead at the site. French authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

He was wearing an accreditation badge around his neck at the time of the incident. He was attending the Annecy festival to present his own original project, Ash Raider World. His last social media post was an image with him at the centre and his work around it. He captioned it: ""Find yourself in the things you love".

The Mexican born animator moved to Canada to study at Vancouver Film School. Since 2016, he had worked for studios including WildBrain, Titmouse, Atomic Cartoons, Chaos Emporium, and Deluxe Animation.

Alongside his work on the Spiderman Spiderverse franchise his impressive CV included Space Jam: A New Legacy and My Little Pony: The Movie. For television he worked on popular series including Animaniacs, Carmen Sandiego, and My Dad the Bounty Hunter.

He had also recently worked on Andrew Chesworth’s The Brave Locomotive short, Jon Densk’s short film Axolodyssey, and Dana Terrace’s indie pilot Knights of Guenivere.

Tributes flooded in as the details of his death became public. On Facebook one person wrote: "He helped bring so much joy to others through his work. Thank you Luis de la Rosa for your wonderful work."

Another added: "That is so terribly sad. My film was on the Annecy Festival some years back. An amazing festival, the world’s best animation, storybook town, delicious food; one of my fondest memories. I’m so sorry it has this tragic accident in its story. God bless this brilliant young man."

A third chimed in: "One of the most talented artists I've ever met in my life is no longer with us. Luis, you will always be part of the memory of one of the happiest days of my life. Rest in peace, Luis De la Rosa."

Meanwhile a fourth shared: "The animation world has lost a rising talent whose creativity brought unforgettable stories to life... Though his life was cut tragically short, his artistry and legacy will continue to inspire generations of animators and storytellers."