Soccer Player, 21, Struck by Lightning During Training in Australia
Noosa, Queensland, Australia – A 21-year-old soccer player died Saturday after being struck by lightning during a training session at Cooroora United Football Club in Queensland, Australia. The incident occurred amidst a severe thunderstorm, prompting a response from Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and raising concerns about safety during extreme weather events.
The victim has been identified as Finley Bone. Despite immediate efforts by those at the scene to administer CPR and use a defibrillator, paramedics were unable to revive him. “Fin’s life was taken away in a minute,” his mother, Donna Markert, told “ABC.” The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief from the local soccer community and a reminder of the dangers posed by unpredictable thunderstorms.
Bone was a player for the Noosa Lions Football Club’s FQPL3 women’s team and also coached their U12/13 girls’ team. The Noosa Lions mourned his death in an Instagram post, extending “deepest condolences to paul and Donna, and all of Finley’s family and friends.”
QAS senior operations supervisor Danielle Williams acknowledged the quick response of those who attempted resuscitation. “It was a very intricate situation as the storm was still continuing when we arrived,” she told “ABC.” Williams urged people to seek safe shelter during forecasts of further rain, hail, and strong winds in Queensland.
Cooroora United Football Club announced the temporary suspension of all sporting activities on Facebook, stating they were “deeply saddened” by the incident and working with Football Queensland to provide psychological support to those affected.
Sunshine Coast Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland described the event as a “tragic incident,” according to Sunshine Coast News. queensland Police are preparing a report for the coroner. Lightning strikes are a relatively rare but often fatal occurrence in Australia, notably during the summer months when thunderstorms are frequent. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to safety guidelines during severe weather and highlights the inherent risks associated with outdoor sports.
