This is the horrifying moment a footballer was killed and five others were left injured after being hit by lightning during a match in Peru.
Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, was killed instantly as both sets of players made their way off the pitch after the referee ordered the game to be halted.
The ref made the decision as the sound of rumbling thunder echoed around the stadium.
Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, also received a direct strike and was rushed to hospital in a taxi with serious burns to his body.
The other casualties, two teenagers aged 16 and 19 and a 24-year-old named locally as Cristian Cesar Pituy Cahuana, were said to be ‘stable’ in hospital after yesterday’s incident.
The tragedy happened during a regional tournament in Chilca, one of the 28 districts that form the central Peruvian province of Huancayo, between two local teams called Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.
The players were walking slowly towards the changing rooms after the referee halted play when the storm intensified around 4pm local time. Jose was declared dead in hospital.
At least eight players including Jose and the seriously-injured goalie ended up on the ground.
The match, which Juventud Bellavista was winning 2-0 with 22 minutes played, was abandoned after the horror lightning strike.
The tragedy has led to calls for enhanced security protocols at sporting events, especially in high-altitude areas like Huancayo where the capital city of the same name is 10,659 feet above sea level.
Engineer Lucho Duarte wrote online: ‘This terrible incident reminds us of the importance of protection against lightning, especially in open-air events.
‘We need to implement protective systems in sports installations and security protocols involving the immediate suspension of activities during storms.’
In February a footballer died after being struck by lightning during a match in Indonesia.
‘He was named afterwards as Septain Raharja, 35. He was playing in a friendly between FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang.
Local reports at time said he was rushed to hospital ‘still breathing’ after being badly burnt but pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
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