13-year-old boy dies, 12 others injured after Soweto lightning strike
The unexpected lightning strike took place while a group of boys were playing soccer.
Thunderstorm file image.
A 13-year-old boy has died and 12 other children were injured after lightning struck a soccer field in Protea Glen, near Soweto, ER24 has confirmed.
“A group of children [from the] under-14 soccer league were playing on an informal soccer field when a lightning strike brought the game to an abrupt and tragic end,” a statement from the emergency rescue service said.
“Witnesses later told paramedics that the skies were not particularly dark and that the lightning strike was unexpected. After the lightning struck the children ran for shelter in a nearby house,” the statement continues.
“When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene, local fire and rescue services were already attending to the injured. One child remained motionless on the field after the incident and was unfortunately later declared dead at the scene.”
READ MORE: Man and child killed by lightning in Limpopo
According to ER24, a total of 12 boys were receiving treatment on the scene for injuries ranging from third-degree burns to muscle stiffness.
The injured youths have since been transported to a nearby medical facility.
In an unfortunate coincidence, four girls from Protea Glen Secondary School in Soweto were struck by lightning in 2013, also in February.
The Soweto girls, all aged 16, were struck while on their way home from school.
“One of them is in a critical condition and three are stable,” Gauteng education department spokesperson Charles Phahlane said at the time.
(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)
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