A 15-year-old golfer has tragically been killed by a lightning strike on the course during a tournament with her 31-year-old caddy also in hospital
A 15-year-old golfer has tragically been killed by a lightning strike while playing in a tournament. Her 31-year-old caddy was also taken to hospital.
Rising golfer Aeyavarin Pradubyart was lining up a putt on the 11th hole at the Lotus Valley Golf Resort in Chachoengsao, Thailand when several lightning bolts slammed into the ground.
The teenage golfer was hit, as well as her caddy Saitharn Boonkerd, 31, in a scene like a horror film as torrential rain poured down at the course east of Bangkok. Officials had sounded an alarm to suspend play, but Aeyavarin and Saitharn were missing. Players returned to the clubhouse before they went to search for the two missing people, later finding them unconscious on the course.
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Both received CPR at the scene and were rushed to Bang Nam Priao Hospital in critical condition. According to local reports, Aeyavarin suffered serious burns all the way down the right side of her body.
She was later transferred to Phutthasothon Hospital for further treatment, but tragically, her condition quickly worsened overnight and she was pronounced dead in the morning. Her caddy remains under close medical supervision, with the extent of her injuries unclear.
Aeyavarin had won multiple competitions and was widely considered a future star in Thai golf. Her achievements led her to be selected as a reserve golfer for Chonburi province.
The teen’s heartbroken mother, Natcha Pradubyart, 49, announced her daughter’s death in a social media post, which read: “No parents would ever easily let their child go. But if it brings pain to our beloved child, we will choose to let go, so you may rest in peace.
“You were the strongest, my beloved child Aeya. Your heart stopped for nearly an hour after being struck by lightning, yet you fought back ten times, enduring through the night to wait for your father to fly back and say a final goodbye. Rest peacefully, my beloved child.”
Natcha said officials failed to stop the competition despite lightning first striking a line of pine trees along the green. Several more bolts followed before a deafening thunderclap and heavy rain even forced the suspension.
She added: “I saw two of Aeya’s playing partners return, but my daughter was nowhere to be seen. I asked where she was and someone told me, ‘Aeya is lying down’. I thought she was just resting at the clubhouse.
“Shortly afterwards, someone told me a child had been struck by lightning. I rushed over to find out what had happened and was devastated to learn it was her. I was completely shocked and panicking. I begged the officials to help me find her.
“I later found out she had been taken to the clubhouse and was receiving first aid. Her face and body were bright red and she was having convulsions. She lost consciousness again.
“She was rushed to hospital, but the doctors said her condition was too critical and there was nothing more we could do.
“I waited for her father to arrive and he finally reached the hospital the following morning, so he could be with her one more time.”
The teen’s grandmother, Aphorn Pradubyart, 67, claimed there was a delay taking her to hospital because no ambulance was available at the course.
In a statement, the tournament’s organisers said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident and offered their condolences to Aeyavarin’s family, adding: “Currently, the organising committee is working with the golf course to expedite the investigation and gather all the facts thoroughly in order to obtain the most accurate and clear information.”