In a shocking and unfortunate incident, 39-year-old Peruvian football player, José Hugo De la Cruz Meza, was struck and killed by lightning during a live game on Sunday, November 3, 2024. The event took place in the town of Chilca, situated in the central Andes of Peru.
De la Cruz, who played as a defender for Familia Chocca, was in the middle of a regional match at the Coto Coto stadium when a bolt of lightning struck him. He and his teammates were in the process of leaving the pitch due to deteriorating weather conditions. The lightning strike wounded four other players, among them De la Cruz’s cousin, Juan Chocca Llacta, who was accompanying him arm-in-arm at the time.
Recorded video of the incident shows a bright flash of lightning and the subsequent reactions of players, spectators, and officials as they fell to the ground, stunned by the force of the strike. As reported by the New York Times, “a flash of light and several players instantly dropped to the ground.” The players were near the sidelines when the lightning hit, interrupting the game that was already on hold due to the approaching storm.
The impact threw a number of players to the ground and left noticeable burn marks on the field. De la Cruz was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Huancayo, the capital of the Junín region. However, he was declared dead upon arrival. His cousin, Chocca Llacta, suffered severe burns and was initially in critical condition but has since stabilized.
Three other players, aged between 16 and 24, were also injured by the lightning strike. Two of them needed prolonged hospital treatment. Following the incident, the remaining players and spectators were evacuated, and the match was officially ended.
Metal objects on the field likely intensified the lightning strike, with De la Cruz’s bracelet potentially contributing to the direct hit. This incident underscores the dangers of wearing metal accessories during thunderstorms.
A memorial service for De la Cruz was organized in his hometown, where relatives and community members came together to grieve his sudden loss. He is survived by his wife and three children. His family has requested financial aid from local authorities to defray funeral expenses and provide support during this difficult period.
Even though fatal lightning strikes are relatively rare, outdoor sports are still susceptible to such events during bad weather. Over the previous ten years, lightning has killed an average of 20 people annually in the United States alone. However, the death rate has dropped thanks to improved forecasting and greater awareness of safety precautions. Nonetheless, incidents like these underscore the unpredictability of lightning, particularly for outdoor athletes.
Local authorities in Chilca and the Peruvian Football Federation offered their condolences to De la Cruz’s family and pledged to enforce stricter safety protocols to safeguard players in future games. The Peruvian government has also shown support for De la Cruz’s family as they seek to honor his contribution to the community.
