Lightning halts Manning Cup clash
Published:Tuesday | September 17, 2019 | 12:17 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
A bolt of lightning yesterday brought a dramatic end to a Manning Cup football match at the Stadium East field in Kingston after five players were affected, with at least two sent for precautionary medical treatment at hospital.
The Group E encounter between Jamaica College (JC) and Wolmer’s Boys’ School was eight minutes from time when, following brief and intermittent drizzle, the lightning scare brought an end to the match. The five players fell to the ground and had to be treated by medical personnel on site.
JC’s Terrence Francis and Dwayne Allen of Wolmer’s appeared to be the most affected, both complaining of pain in their eyes. They were taken to hospital for further examination.
JC’s Janoi Williams and Wolmer’s Ronaldo Webster appeared less affected. The name of the other player believed to be affected could not be ascertained.
Wolmer’s coach Alex Thomas said the players’ safety was paramount and hoped for a speedy recovery for all those affected.
“It’s unfortunate that it had to end like this, but things happen, and we have to just hope for the players from JC [who] went down and the players from Wolmer’s [who] went down, the best of health and a speedy recovery,” he said.
“It is always sad when you see tragedy like that. We hope and pray that the youngsters are alright. We don’t have any control over what happen, but the first priority is safety and we just hope they are okay,” said Jamaica College’s Davian Ferguson.
Up to press time, Francis remained in hospital.
ISSA President Keith Wellington said he could not comment on the incident until he had all the facts.
Wolmer’s were leading JC 2-1 when the game was called off.
Pending a decision from ISSA, the remaining eight minutes of the contest are expected to be played at a later date.