A young Australian goalkeeper playing with Malaysian football club Melaka United has died in hospital after being struck by lightning during a training session on April 5.
Stefan Petrovski, 18, had been in a coma in intensive care since the incident, when lightning struck the goalposts he was standing nearby. The club issued a statement via Facebook, posting “Melaka United have lost one of their valuable gem as their reserve goalkeeper Marko Stefan Petrovski, 18 passed away later this evening.”
“Melaka United truly felt saddened and lost with his passing.”
Petrovski had signed a three-year deal to play in the Malaysian Premier League and had also received his Malaysian citizenship, but was yet to make an appearance on the field.
Football Australia also mourned his passing.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of young goalkeeper, Stefan Petrovski. Vale Stefan. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/8PvY2JtZeZ
— Football Australia (@FFA) May 1, 2016
Khairi Anuar Ahmad, Melaka United’s vice president, told the New Straits Times that Petrovski was a dedicated and well-liked player. “He was a dedicated goalkeeper and boasted that he wanted to be the best goalkeeper in the country. He was very jovial, a good boy, liked by his team-mates and always wanted to be better.”
A second player, 21-year-old Muhd Afiq Azuan, was also injured in the lightning strike, but regained consciousness and is expected to make a full recovery.
