A Peruvian soccer player, the defender José Hugo de la Cruz Mezadied this Sunday after being struck by lightning during a match that also caused at least one injury, local media reported. In addition to the deceased defender, goalkeeper Juan Choca is in serious condition with severe burns. The health status of the other players who were struck by lightning is unknown.
The event occurred around 4:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. GMT) at the Coto Coto stadium, in Chicha, located in the department of Huancayo, where two local teams were playing under a storm: Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca. A video shows the precise moment of the lightning strike on several footballers who vanish on the grass at the same time.
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The lightning struck seconds after the game was suspended due to the storm and when the players were leaving the field. Local media reported that the injured were immediately transferred to the Carrión hospital in Huancayo, where doctors certified the death of Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza upon arrival.
