Stricken - Wolmer’s players detail aftermath of lightning encounter

Wolmer’s Boys School’s Dwayne Allen and Javair Lynch, two players who were struck by lightning during an ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup game against Jamaica College (JC) on September 16, have been recovering in contrasting ways.

Lynch had headaches after the strike, while Allen says that he was unable to see for some time until he was treated and released from hospital.

Allen says that he has suffered tremendous psychological scars as he is now afraid of being outside during rainfall, especially if there is lightning.

“When it happened, I could only see white,” he said after his team’s 10-0 win over Greater Portmore yesterday, which saw him on the scoresheet. “I couldn’t see anything else, but when I reached the hospital, they gave me something and I started to see clearer. I came out the same day. I was in for about two hours, but since then everything is fine.

“But from it happen, every time I see lightning or rain, I just want to be inside. Yes I have a fear for it. If it’s raining, I don’t want to be on the field.”

Lynch says he has felt no serious negative effects of the incident.

“When I came into the game it was a fast paced game, but when the lightning struck, I saw it and looked away,” he said. “I didn’t feel like it affected me, but when the play stopped and I stopped running, I felt a slight headache. I spoke to the physio after and he told me to watch it and see what happens. I went to school the next day and still felt the headaches and I went to the doctor and got some painkillers. But since then, I have been fine. But I just saw the flash. I didn’t really feel anything, but I haven’t felt anything negative since then.”

Unlike Allen, Lynch has no reservations about playing in rain, and this, he says, is because of his passion to play the sport.

Spontaneous

“I am comfortable when it’s raining,” he said. “This is something we can’t really control because it is spontaneous. We just have to go out and play football if we really love football and just give our all. But we can’t control it. If it happens, it is quite unfortunate, but we just have to come again.”

The incident took place in the 82nd minute of the match at Stadium East, and two JC players were also taken to hospital for observation, with one complaining about pain in his eyes. Medical officials said at the time that players were not seriously injured, and all four have now resumed playing.

Ronaldo Webster scored four goals in the 10-0 result at Stadium East yesterday, with the remainder coming from Shamour McLean, Jaheim Rose, Rushane Thompson, Rivaldo Mitchell, and Javian Clarke.

The remainder of the game between Wolmer’s and JC from September 16 will be played tomorrow at the same venue.