Thai Football Mourns the Loss of Pluak Daeng United Goalkeeper, Struck by Lightning

[Georgealbert]

 

 

The Thai football community is in mourning following the tragic loss of “Art” Kittisak Fufung, the goalkeeper for Pluak Daeng United, a team from Rayong, competing in Thai League 3. Kittisak passed away after being struck by lightning in Rayong Province. The details of when he was struck by lightning have not been released, but it was not during a league game.

 

Kittisak had initially been revived after the incident, with medical staff giving CPR and managing to restore his pulse. However, his condition remained critical as he was unable to breathe on his own and required a ventilator. He was being treated in the intensive care unit at Mabtaput Hospital in Rayong, with his blood pressure also dangerously low.

 

 

On October 13, 2024, Pluak Daeng United announced the heartbreaking news via their official Facebook page. The post read, “Pluak Daeng United expresses our deepest condolences on the passing of our beloved goalkeeper, Art Kittisak Fufung. Thank you for all your dedication and for standing by our side through both triumphs and trials. This is a loss we never wanted to face. May the family find strength in this difficult time.”

 

The loss has sent shockwaves through the Thai football community, with tributes pouring in from fans and players alike.

 

Picture from Pluak Daeng United.

 

-- 2024-10-13

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Rescue Workers Shocked by Lightning Strike That Killed Goalkeeper on Field, Ball Boy Miraculously Unharmed

 

 

Rescue worker Tussanah Suraphap, 42, from Ban Chang Phutthatham Foundation, shared his account of the tragic lightning strike that claimed the life of a goalkeeper during a football match. The incident occurred on October 12 at around 14:00 while a seven-a-side football game was being played amid heavy rain, which eased as the match neared its end, just before a corner kick was to be taken.

 

Tussanah described how the rain had almost stopped when, suddenly, two bolts of lightning struck behind the goalposts. It was unclear whether the strikes hit the ground or a nearby tree, as the players and spectators were focused on the corner kick. No one was paying attention to the goalkeeper at that moment. Moments later, the goalkeeper for Pluak Daeng United collapsed unexpectedly. Though he wasn’t hit directly, he appeared to have been struck by the tail end of the lightning.

 

The strike caused the goalkeeper to fall with symptoms resembling electrocution. Rescue workers immediately rushed to administer first aid and performed CPR from the football field to Ban Chang Hospital. Although the goalkeeper briefly regained consciousness and tried to speak, he quickly lost consciousness again and passed away at hospital.

 

What made the incident even more baffling, Tussanah noted, was the presence of a ball boy standing close to the goalkeeper, behind the goal. Despite his proximity to the lightning strike, the boy was completely unharmed.

 

-- 2024-10-13

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

Sad to die so young.

At least he died doing something that he loved.

RIP