Teen golfer killed by lightning strike as mom points finger at tournament officials

Golfer Aeyavarin “Aeya” Pradubyart has died after being struck by lightning during a tournament in Thailand over the weekend. She was 15.

At around 4 p.m. local time, Pradubyart was hit by a lightning bolt during a tournament in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province, according to People.

Course staff reportedly found Pradubyart unconscious with no vital signs and performed CPR before transporting her to Bang Nam Priao Hospital, where she died Monday due to severe burns.

Aeyavarin Pradubyart, 15, lines up a golf shot. Aeyavarin Pradubyart / Instagram

Per her family, Pradubyart’s heart stopped for nearly an hour before a heartbeat was restored.

A caddie named Saithan was also injured by the strike near the 11th hole, but suffered less severe injuries, according to People.

Pradubyart was a registered member of the Thai Student Golf Union and won the girls’ Class B event in the first leg of the Junior Asian Tour in March.

She was scheduled to compete in more tournaments this year.

Pradubyart’s family criticized the course officials for not suspending play immediately once lightning strikes began in the area.

“May Aeya’s case be the first and the last of its kind involving a youth golfer,” her mother, Natcha Izy Samitintu, wrote on Facebook. “I urge all golf courses and tournament organizers to implement comprehensive measures – both for prevention and for immediate, effective response to ensure that no one else ever has to suffer such a loss again.”


Aeyavarin Pradubyart holding a large golf trophy.
Aeyavarin Pradubyart, 15, was struck by lightning during a tournament. Aeyavarin Pradubyart / Instagram

Pradubyart’s father was working in Myanmar at the time of the strike, but was able to reach the hospital to say goodbye before Pradubyart died Monday, the family told the Straits Times.

Samitintu recalled seeing lightning strike near pine trees next to the course at around 3 p.m., an hour before Pradubyart was struck, and play continued.

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