Olympic hopeful killed by lightning on beach in El Salvador

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

On Friday, a surfer who had hopes of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics was killed by lightning while standing on a beach in El Salvador.

Katherine Diaz Hernandez, 22, was practising near her home at the Pacific coast beach of El Tunco when she was hit by lightning.

The president of the Salvadoran Sports Institute, Yamil Bukele, posted a message expressing condolences to her family.

"I just found out about the death of Salvadoran surfer Katherine Díaz. I am very sorry for this death and I join the pain that overwhelms her family. Our solidarity with ‘el Bamba’ and the surf family. Peace for your soul.”

Diaz was preparing for the ISA World Surfing Games, set to be held in El Salvador, that serves as a qualifying event for the coming Summer Olympic Games.

Diaz also worked as a chef and had opened her own business in El Tunco.

Comments

garry-weed's picture
garry-weed's picture
garry-weed Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 11:30am

terrible

t-diddy's picture
t-diddy's picture
t-diddy Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 12:41pm

wow! life is precarious make the most of it

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 1:13pm

I thought this was a new Ding Alley title but just read this in the news.

Sadly taken too young. RIP.

bipola's picture
bipola's picture
bipola Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 1:21pm

bummer

andy-mac's picture
andy-mac's picture
andy-mac Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 2:34pm

Tragic. Very sad.
Life is precious and fragile.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 6:41pm

Oh man thats so sad.

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 8:04pm

Had opened her own business already!?!? What a legend. A flame that burned bright and quickly but went out far too quick. What a tragedy.

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 22 Mar 2021 at 9:38pm

Geez luck of the draw or what.

Quint's picture
Quint's picture
Quint Tuesday, 23 Mar 2021 at 8:46am

Climate change!