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José Hugo de la Cruz Meza, a 39-year-old defender for Familia Chocca, died Nov. 3 after being struck by lightning during a televised soccer crippled successful Peru.
By Brahmjot Kaur Nov 05, 2024 7:55 PMTags
In Memoriam: Fallen Sports Stars of 2024
Peru is mourning the decease of a shot star.
José Hugo de la Cruz Meza, a defender for Familia Chocca, died Nov. 3 aft being struck by lightning on with different players during a lucifer against Juventud Bellavista astatine Coto Coto stadium successful Chilca, Peru, section officials confirmed. He was 39.
“We articulation successful solidarity and widen our sincere condolences to the household of young Hugo De La Cruz, who, aft being struck by lightning, unfortunately, mislaid his beingness portion being taken to the hospital,” the District Municipality of Chilca wrote successful Spanish connected Facebook Nov. 3. “We besides explicit our enactment and wishes for a speedy betterment to the different 4 players injured successful this tragic accident.”
In a clip circulating connected societal media, José and 4 others were seemingly walking disconnected the tract erstwhile lightning struck. A little spark was seen adjacent 1 of the players and they instantly collapsed face-first during the televised game.
Juan Chocca Llacta, who had hugged José moments earlier and was besides struck, gave penetration into the harrowing moment.
“I fto spell of him, we took 3 steps and the lightning struck us,” helium told Diario Correa successful Spanish Nov. 4. “I felt that a airy came to my caput and my caput went blank, and past I don’t retrieve thing else. I regained consciousness successful the hospital.”
He added, “I convey God for giving maine a accidental astatine life. I americium amazed that I americium alive.”
E! News has reached retired to Familia Chocca for remark and has not yet heard back.
José’s woman Edelmira Chocca Ccente shared her disbelief astir the tragedy. “I person a lad with him and 2 small girls, 2 and 7 years old,” she told section quality bureau Andina in Spanish. “I ne'er thought this would happen.”
It was particularly shocking since the accidental of being struck is little than 1 successful a million, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All 4 players that were hospitalized person since been discharged from the hospital, Daniel Alcides Carrión Regional Hospital manager Jorge Rojas Ayre noted, per Andina.
“When they were admitted, they had impermanent effects specified arsenic neurological difficulties, nonaccomplishment of consciousness, ocular occupation and a cardiovascular change,” helium explained, “but with the passing of clip and the absorption of the squad they person improved, arsenic person their first-degree burns.”
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