Lightning Kills Thai Footballer, 12 Hurt
A lightning strike during a regional Golok Cup match in Sungai Golok, Thailand, killed 24-year-old winger Sofwan Awae and injured 12 others on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The match continued despite heavy rain; emergency teams pronounced Sofwan dead at the scene and injured players were taken to Sungai Golok Hospital.
A lightning strike during a Golok Cup football match in Sungai Golok, Thailand, has left one player dead and a dozen others injured, authorities and club officials said. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at about 5:30 pm local time at Santiphap Stadium, during a regional fixture between SAMCOLT and Abu x Nong Sirin, the New Straits Times reported.
Heavy rain had begun during play but the match continued. Video footage circulating online captured a bright flash of lightning striking the pitch. Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old winger for SAMCOLT who had recently signed with Thai club Yala FC, was identified as the player struck. Teammates rushed to his side and attempted to resuscitate him. "Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident," Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt told Bernama.
Yala FC confirmed his death and issued condolences to his family. Twelve other people were reported injured and taken to Sungai Golok Hospital for treatment. Among them was 22-year-old Malaysian player Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Bin Zulkifit, who later returned to Malaysia for further medical care, local authorities said.
Thun said Thai police will continue investigations and take further action according to legal procedures. The Golok Cup is a regional tournament that features local and mixed teams from Thailand and Malaysia. Organisers and teams often face sudden tropical downpours and thunderstorms during matches held in the region.
For residents of the British Virgin Islands, the tragedy underlines the real danger posed by lightning during outdoor sporting events. Thunderstorms are a regular feature of our hurricane season and can develop quickly. Event organisers, coaches and referees should have clear safety protocols: suspend outdoor activity at the first sign of lightning or thunder, move participants and spectators to substantial shelter, and ensure medical teams are ready to respond.
Spectators should not attempt to retrieve players or equipment during storms. Thai authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the match's continuation despite heavy rain. The incident is a grim reminder of the need to prioritise safety over play when severe weather approaches.
Primary source: VINO