27/06/2026 22:15 - Actualidad
On Thursday, June 26, 2026, around 7:20 PM, Ernestina País was driving her black Honda Civic through Martínez, a neighborhood in San Isidro, in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. At the intersection of Sáenz Peña and El Cano streets, according to police sources, she crossed with the barrier down and the Tren de la Costa struck her vehicle.
She was the sole occupant of the car. A witness named Carlos attempted to rescue her, but the doors were jammed and he was unable to help. The cause of death was severe traumatic brain injury. The UFi of Martínez (a local prosecutor's office) took charge of the investigation.
Ernestina País was the first and only woman to host CQC between 2009 and 2011. CQC (Caiga Quien Caiga) is Argentina's legendary satirical news program, similar to "The Daily Show" in the United States. She replaced Mario Pergolini after a casual invitation from producer Diego Guebel and remained for three seasons alongside hosts Gonzalo Rodríguez and Juan Di Natale.
She left the program by personal choice, citing late-night hours and health issues. In recent years, she dedicated herself to theater, performing in the play "El divorcio del año" at Teatro Niní Marshall in Tigre.
Her son Benicio Guyot posted a photo with a heart on Instagram as a sign of mourning.
Gastón Pauls, the famous Argentine actor with whom she shared years of life and friendship, published an emotional farewell on social media.
Director José María Muscari frequently called her for performances at Teatro Niní Marshall, where she was acting in "El divorcio del año".
The Tren de la Costa (Coastal Train) is a tourist train service that runs along the coast of the Río de la Plata from Maipú station in Vicente López to Delta station in Tigre, passing through towns like Martínez, San Isidro, and Olivos. It is a popular passenger train used for both tourism and regional transportation, operating in one of Argentina's most affluent areas.
The crossing at Sáenz Peña and El Cano streets in Martínez, San Isidro, is a level crossing where Tren de la Costa tracks intersect the road. When barriers are down, it indicates an approaching train and all vehicles must stop—a safety rule that, according to authorities, was not followed in this case.
At imago.com.ar, we remember Ernestina País as a pioneer of Argentine television who opened doors for women in media. Her legacy lives on in every woman who hosts an entertainment program in our country.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
