Brazilian footballer dies aged 21 after being struck by lightning

A massive lightning bolt struck a football pitch during a cup game killing one player and injuring six more in Brazil, Report informs via The Sun.

The victim has been named as Caio Henrique de Lima Goncalves, 21, by Police in Santo Antonio da Platina.

Local media reported that he was rushed to hospital after the strike on December 10 but he died soon after.

Goncalves had been playing for his Uniao Jaiirense team against Unidos, in an amateur cup fixture at the Jose Eleuterio da Silva stadium.

Five of the six zapped players are still in a local hospital under observation, while a sixth more seriously injured player was rushed to a regional hospital.

In a statement, Santo Antonio da Platina city hall mourned Goncalves' death and said that it is "making every effort to ensure that those affected have the best possible care."