Footballer killed by lightning during match in Peru

Lima, Peru
CNN
—

A lightning strike during a local league football match in central Peru killed one player and injured four others on Sunday.

Footage of the match showed players leaving the field at the Coto Coto Stadium in the city of Chilca, about 70 kilometers southeast of Lima, after the match was interrupted due to a storm.

Several players were seen falling face down as lightning struck the field. A brief spark and a small cloud of smoke was seen near one of the players, according to a broadcast on local TV channel Onda Deportiva Huancavelic.

Seconds later, a few players seemed to struggle to get back up.

The deceased player was identified by authorities and state media as defender Hugo De La Cruz, 39, after the incident in the 22nd minute of the match between local teams Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.

“We join in our solidarity and express our sincere condolences to the family of the young Hugo De La Cruz, who, after being struck by lightning, unfortunately lost his life while being taken to hospital,” said the local local authority. statement. “We also extend our support and wishes for a speedy recovery to the other four players injured in this tragic accident.”

Two players were released from hospital on Monday evening, while two are still under observation, state news agency Andina reported. A goalkeeper injured in the incident was in critical condition but had shown improvement, the report said.

The regional government, the Junín department, has not commented on the incident. CNN has reached out for more information.

Lightning strikes can cause serious injury to people and in rare cases be fatal.

The chance of being affected is less than one in a million, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, nearly 90% of all lightning strike victims survive, but the consequences can be serious and long-lasting. Survivors have experienced debilitating injuries, burns and symptoms including seizures and memory loss.

In 2020 a 16 year old Russian goalkeeper survived a lightning strike during training. Footage of the bizarre incident showed the teenager being hit by the bolt as he tried to kick a ball into the goal, while his teammates trained on the sidelines.

Although he suffered severe burns and doctors put him in an induced coma, the teenager suffered a seizure remarkable recovery weeks later.