In an unfortunate incident, José Hugo De la Cruz Meza, a 39-year-old Peruvian soccer player, was struck and killed by a lightning bolt during a live game on Sunday, November 3, 2024. The tragedy took place in Chilca, a town in central Peru’s Andean region.

De la Cruz was a defender for Familia Chocca and was playing in a regional match at Coto Coto stadium when the incident occurred. As he and his teammates started to exit the field due to a worsening storm, a lightning bolt struck him. Four other players were injured in the strike, including his cousin, Juan Chocca Llacta, who was walking alongside him when the lightning hit.

The incident was captured on video, showing a sudden flash of lightning followed by players, spectators, and officials dropping to the ground, overwhelmed by the strike’s intensity. As reported by the New York Times, “a flash of light and several players instantly dropped to the ground.” The game was already paused due to the approaching storm when the lightning hit near the sidelines, leading to the abrupt termination of the match.

The lightning strike resulted in visible scorch marks on the field and hurled several players to the ground. De la Cruz was rushed to a nearby hospital in Huancayo, the capital of the Junín region, but was declared dead upon arrival. His cousin, Chocca Llacta, was listed in critical condition with severe burns but has since stabilized.

Three other players, aged between 16 and 24, also sustained injuries from the lightning strike, with two of them needing extended hospital care. Following the incident, the remaining players and spectators were evacuated, and the game was officially halted.

The severity of the lightning strike was likely heightened by metal objects on the field. In particular, De la Cruz’s bracelet may have played a role in the direct hit, underlining the hazards posed by metallic accessories during thunderstorms.

A wake for De la Cruz was conducted in his hometown, with family members and the community coming together to grieve his sudden death. He is survived by his wife and three children. His family has sought help from local authorities to cover the funeral costs and provide support during this difficult period.

While fatal lightning strikes are rare, they pose a real threat to outdoor sports during adverse weather conditions. In the United States alone, lightning has caused an average of 20 deaths per year over the past decade. However, the mortality rate has decreased due to improved weather forecasting and heightened awareness of safety measures. Still, incidents like this underscore the unpredictability of lightning strikes, particularly for outdoor athletes.

The local authorities in Chilca and the Peruvian Football Federation have extended their condolences to De la Cruz’s family. They have pledged to enforce stricter safety protocols to safeguard players in future games. The Peruvian government has also expressed its support for De la Cruz’s family as they seek to honor his community legacy.