Police Revealed That a 9-Year-Old Boy Died after Being Struck by Lightning on a Soccer Field

Police in Blackpool, England, revealed that a boy died after he was hit by lightning while on a football field this week. He was nine years old.

A nine-year-old boy, Jordan Banks, died after lightning struck him while he was training on a football field in Blackpool. He had been playing on the field on Tuesday at around 5 pm.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance and the police, arrived on the scene to find that Banks had suffered severe injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later passed away.

At such a young age, Banks had already made great efforts to contribute to his community. He ran 30 miles to raise funds for a community counseling initiative in honor of his uncle who took his own life.

Blackpool police confirmed his passing on their Facebook page. The post stated that the boy’s parents had been informed about the accident. The police announced his passing:

“A nine-year-old boy has sadly died following an incident on a football field earlier this evening.”

Messages of condolences, footballs, and flowers were left at the site as the community has come out to mourn the young boy's passing. The efforts of the community truly showed what a remarkable person Banks was.

His family said in a statement that their world had stopped with the passing of their little boy. He had been a happy child as the family remembered his laugh and infectious smile.

Det Supt Nick Connaughton of Lancashire Police said that the incident was truly devastating.

Banks’ football team, the Clifton Rangers Junior team, shared their condolences and a tribute to the late football player on their Facebook page. Banks had been a part of the club's under 9 bees team.

The post read that Banks had contributed so much to his community. The club described him as an inspiration with a shining light, as they said this about the young child:

"Jordan was a Shining Light and an inspiration to everyone that he met. A strong, determined and courageous young man."

The club stated they would be working with the UK's Football Association to support any of Banks’ friends and family who were affected by the incident so they could receive the help they need.

Many community members took to the comment sections of both the Blackpool Police and the football club's posts to share messages of support and condolences for Banks' family and friends.

Det Supt Nick Connaughton of Lancashire Police said that the incident was truly devastating and that his thoughts and prayers were with the family of the deceased during this distressing time.

Deaths related to lightning strikes are rare, but they do happen. Two people in the UK are killed each year by a lightning strike. Last year in Uganda, 10 children were killed by lightning after taking shelter under a hut during a thunderstorm.