Lightning strike puts soccer players and staff in the hospital

A pair of players is in the hospital after a bolt of lightning hit a group of Melaka United players and staff during a training session in Malaysia.

The club released a statement via Facebook on Wednesday explaining the incident, which left 18-year-old goalkeeper Stefan Petrovski and 21-year-old Afiq Azwan among those taken to the hospital.

According to the release, training began at 4 p.m., with a light drizzle coming through at 4:30 p.m. followed by a sudden heavy downpour at 5 p.m. The decision was made to end training, and as players left the field lightning struck at around 5:05 p.m.

The strike hit a group of players and staff, with Petrovski and Azwan the closest to the incident. Petrovski was 'left unconscious' and given CPR by the team's doctor, who managed to shake off the effects of the lightning strike and provide aid.

The players and staff were sent to the hospital, but media reports indicated Petrovski's immediate situation was critical.

"He received initial treatment at the emergency unit. After that he was transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment. His condition is stable and his breathing is supported with a ventilator," Malacca Hospital director Dr Za'aba Baba said in a statement obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald.

In a separate Facebook post, Melaka United revealed Petrovski's mother had arrived from Australia on Wednesday to be with her son. (Warning: Images below may be disturbing for some readers).

Club president and team manager Khairi Anuar Bin Ahmad, who wrote the team's initial release, said, "It happened without a warning as it is god's will. The only thing we could do now is to ensure they being given the best medical care."

We wish all those affected a speedy recovery.