In addition to the dead player, four others were injured, one of them seriously. Foto: Screenshot
In the middle of an amateur soccer match in Huancayo (Peru), José Hugo de la Cruz Meza, defender of the Juventud Bellavista club, died. The death occurred this Sunday when he was directly struck by lightning while playing a regional tournament against Familia Chocca.
In addition to the death, the discharge caused several players from both teams to fall unconscious to the ground. This can be seen in a video published on social networks.
In turn, the fans experienced moments of panic and you can hear the screams of despair and fear after the discharge. “Call the emergency,” a woman shouts after seeing the players on the floor.
Many did not understand the decision to play the game despite the weather conditions, including a thunderstorm. In fact, the referee decided to suspend the game and just as the players were leaving the field, the lightning struck.
Lightning killed 34-year-old José Hugo de la Cruz Meza, a Juventud Bellavista soccer player who was playing against Familia Chocca, an amateur match in Huancayo, Peru. 4 other people were injured. The game had stopped.
The images are highly sensitive pic.twitter.com/ICsPrmeuRx— Cesar Augusto Londoño (@cesaralo) November 4, 2024
The incident left four players injured, including goalkeeper Juan Choca, who ended up with burns on various parts of his body for which he is being treated at the Carrión Hospital in Huancayo.
Given what happened in Peru, security protocols are being evaluated for holding sporting events when storms or adverse weather conditions are warned.
2024-11-05 01:30:00
#video #middle #soccer #match #lightning #killed #player #left #injured
**Interview Segment: Shock and Tragedy in Peru: Lightning Claims Life of Football Player**
**Host:** Welcome back to our coverage of a tragic incident from Peru that has left the sports community in shock. Joining us today is Dr. Elena Ramirez, a sports safety expert, to discuss the implications of this horrifying event. Dr. Ramirez, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Thank you for having me. It’s a heartbreaking situation.
**Host:** For our viewers who may not be familiar with the details, can you explain what happened during the match in Huancayo?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Certainly. During an amateur football match, player José Hugo de la Cruz Meza was struck by lightning while on the field. This unfortunate incident not only resulted in his tragic death but also injured four other players, one seriously. It’s a stark reminder of how dangerous acute weather conditions can be during outdoor sports.
**Host:** Absolutely. What safety measures do you think should be implemented in amateur sports to prevent such tragedies in the future?
**Dr. Ramirez:** It’s critical that both amateur and professional leagues implement strict weather policies. This includes monitoring weather conditions before and during events and having clear guidelines regarding lightning storms. Players and officials need to be educated on the dangers and ensure that all games are halted if lightning is detected.
**Host:** That makes a lot of sense. Are there specific steps organizations can take to improve awareness and enforcement of these policies?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Yes, organizations should collaborate with meteorological services to gain access to real-time weather updates. Training for coaches and referees on recognizing dangerous conditions is essential. Additionally, effective communication systems can ensure that all participants are promptly informed.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Ramirez. This story highlights a tragic intersection of sports and safety that cannot be overlooked. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of José Hugo de la Cruz Meza, along with those injured in this incident.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Absolutely. It’s a devastating loss for the community, and I hope this brings about the necessary changes to protect players in the future.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights today. We’ll be back with more updates on this story and other headlines after this break.
