A former Colombian international footballer has been killed and four others injured by a lightning strike during a team practice session.
Veteran halfback Hermam Gaviria had just begun training when he sustained fatal injuries from the lightning yesterday afternoon. Fellow players tried to revive Gaviria on the field before taking him to the hospital.
Gaviria (32) played for Colombia's national team in the 1994 World Cup and in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
"It was a surprise storm, the lightning strike hit the post and then the field, and several players were affected," said a fan who was watching the practice.
One of the four injured players, Giovany Cordoba, is in a critical condition after suffering three heart attacks as the result of the lightning strike.
AP