Boy killed in ‘lightning strike’ in Blackpool named as Jordan Banks
Jordan Banks #JordanBanks
A nine-year old boy who died after apparently being struck by lightning during a football coaching session has been named by the Blackpool Gazette as Jordan Banks.
The boy was injured on a playing field in the Common Edge Road area of Blackpool during a thunderstorm shortly after 5pm on Tuesday. An average of two people are killed by lightning in the UK every year.
Emergency services, including police and an air ambulance, were called to the scene to find the boy had suffered serious injuries. He was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.
Flowers have been laid at the site along with messages of condolence written on football shirts.
Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South, said he was “incredibly sorry to hear this tragic and heartbreaking news”.
“I’m sure I speak for the whole community when I say that everybody in Blackpool will be thinking of the boy’s family and friends at this sad time,” he said.
The boy’s football team, the Clifton Rangers Junior FC, paid tribute to the “extraordinary young man” in a Facebook post. They said: “Jordan of our U9 Bees tragically passed away yesterday evening doing what he loved.
“Jordan was a shining light and an inspiration to everyone that he met. A strong, determined and courageous young man, who will be missed by everyone.
Video: Friend ‘so sad’ over lightning death (Sky News)
Friend ‘so sad’ over lightning death
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“The world has truly lost an extraordinary young man, who had done so much good in his community.
“We cannot begin to imagine the grief of the family. Our thoughts, prayers, love and hugs go out to them all and to his teammates, friends and coaches who are devastated by the loss.”
The club have said it would be working with the Football Association to “support the family and anyone else touched by this tragedy”.
Spirit of Youth Junior FC, another local club which uses the field, said in an online statement that the boy was understood to have been taking part in a private coaching session.
“The tragic incident happened on our home ground at Common Edge playing fields but it was not during a club training session. As a club, we are heartbroken and we offer our deepest condolences to the boy’s family.
“We are entrenched in the local community, and we will give whatever support is required to both the family and to those that were with him at the time,.”
Blackpool council, which owns the playing fields, said it was flying the town hall’s flag at half-mast in tribute to the boy.
The head teacher of a nearby school paid his respects on Twitter: “The thoughts of everyone @UnityBlackpool are with the family of the young boy who sadly lost his life after being struck by lightning in Blackpool last night.”
The Parish of Christ the King and St Kentigern church said it would be dedicating two masses to the boy.
Det Supt Nick Connaughton of Lancashire police said: “This is a truly devastating incident and our thoughts are wholeheartedly with the family and friends of the young boy, who has passed away, at this very sad and distressing time.”