9-year-old boy dies from lightning strike while playing in field

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A nine-year-old boy who was playing football in a field in Blackpool, England died after being hit by lightning, local police stated.

Jordan Banks was said to have suffered injuries from the lightning strike on Tuesday, May 11. Emergency services took the boy to the hospital but he tragically died shortly after, Blackpool Police stated on its Facebook page today, May 13.

Banks’ family also released a statement through the police, as they mourned the death of the young boy.

“Yesterday our worlds stopped. We lost the brightest star our beautiful boy Jordan. His laugh, that infectious smile, golden curls, he was our everything. Wise beyond his years, caring, considerate, generous and so loving. Our love is endless. Goodnight beautiful boy,” the family said.

https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolPolice/photos/a.382639948432987/4290045621025714

Spirit of Youth Junior Football Club, which hosts games at the field, clarified that the incident did not happen in the middle of a training session.

“The tragic incident happened on our home ground at Common Edge playing fields but it was not during a club training session. The young boy was not a Spirit of Youth player,” the club said in a statement on Facebook, also yesterday.

Meanwhile, Banks’ junior football team, Clifton Rangers Junior Football Club For Kids, also announced the child’s death on its Facebook page on the same day. The team added that despite the dreadful accident, Banks died “doing what he loved.”

The football club described Banks as a “shining light” and an “inspiration.” JB

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