/ 28 August 2006

Danish footballer killed by lightning

A young Danish footballer died after being struck by lightning during a weekend youth league match, local media reported on Monday.

The player — from the small town of Ulfborg in central Jutland — was hit on Saturday during a lower league match between Ulfborg and Mabjerg, and died late on Sunday.

Several other players were knocked to the ground by the force of the lightning but miraculously did not sustain physical injuries, the online edition of the Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer reported.

”No one was to blame. Neither the referee nor the coaches. It was — as you say — like a bolt from the blue,” Ulfborg president Jorgen Poulsgaard said, adding the lightning strike was not preceded by any major thunder.

Police have not released the player’s age and name. — Sapa-dpa