International Football - Lightning strike player loses leg

Eurosport - Wed, 02 Sep 12:20:00 2009

Danish footballer Jonathan Richter has had the lower part of his left leg amputated after he was struck by lightning during a match six weeks previously.

FOOTBALL 2008 FC Nordsjaelland Jonathan Richter - 0

The family of the 24-year-old midfielder from FC Nordsjaelland said in a statement that his condition was improving and he would soon be moved from the intensive care unit of a Copenhagen hospital.

Richter (pictured, on the right) was struck during a friendly against FC Hvidovre on July 20 and was in an induced coma for 10 days.

Medics restarted his heart, but doctors took the decision to amputate after agreeing with the player that the damage sustained to his leg was too severe to hope for a recovery.

A message on the club's website yesterday read: "Jonathan's progress means a lot to the Richter family, friends and all involved with FC Nordsjaelland, but the family now request that all continue to respect the peace that Jonathan needs in the future as he faces tough rehabilitation."

Reuters

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  1. is there a god dont think so cause he wouldnt let all­ the @#$% things in the world happen,they say its­ retrobution but that young kid did nowt

    From stella.bates, on Sun 6 Sep 2:07AM

  2. Its a miracle how god does things? what are you­ suggesting?! he threw a few lightning bolts in his­ driection??? better purpose? whats that about??? yes,­ john, you were meant to have one leg, yes your purpose­ was to be on yahoo at some point in your life... NO!­ stop this, there is no miracle to this, its f*cking­ unlucky the guy nearly died, and if anyone says god­ saved him, hes perfectly capable of stopping him gettin­ that luck! please stop using god as a reason or­ solution, this happened as an accident in real life,­ the guy has a leg missing and all of a sudden its­ "miracle" or "faith" or "god­ watching over him" that did this???? NO! the guy­ was unlcuky, he wasnt the chosen one for crying out­ loud! itll be his own strength and that of friends and­ family that keeps him going, not god! gods got nothing­ to do with this! hell the guy maybe isnt even­ religious! and if it was a divine being that did this,­ why god?! could have been anyone! jesus or allah or­ buddha or whatever (no offence intended on any­ religions here) this is nonsense! accept that the guy­ will be his own solution, the strength he finds will be­ his OWN strength, he hasnt been loaned out strength by­ god or anyone! the comments that work are the "be­ strong" ones, they are the ones that focus on the­ guy himself, not some divine being that got nothing to­ do with it! get better john, your good enough to­ recover through yourself and your family!

    From Ryan, on Thu 3 Sep 5:12PM

  3. 260. May still be able to play????? Hmmmm. Gutted­ for the lad. I hope the rest of his life is good and­ rewarding and that he can find the strength to rise­ above the inevitable physical and emotional pain­ that's sure to come as a result of this tragic­ freak accident.

    From Richard, on Thu 3 Sep 5:09PM

  4. I feel for the young man and his family, but I believe­ that he will pull through due to all the well wishers­ and his strength. May God bless him and his family.We­ will pray for the young man his family and his team­ mates.

    From williammulemba, on Thu 3 Sep 12:55PM

  5. I never heard of him but i wish him in hospital well.

    From Tham, on Thu 3 Sep 12:13PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    will he now play in the paralympics?

    From Tham, on Thu 3 Sep 12:12PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    GOD WILL HELP HIM

    From Tham, on Thu 3 Sep 12:10PM

  8. my thoughts go to the player, his family & all his­ fans - i hope his club and fifa rally around him and­ make sure he needs for nothing - god be with you

    From Eddie, on Thu 3 Sep 11:58AM

  9. SO sad thats probably the end of his career :( i hope­ he could maybe still play!

    From zain.carrera, on Thu 3 Sep 11:10AM

  10. Get well soon

    from a man utd fan

    From Lee, on Thu 3 Sep 11:03AM

  11. Get well soon, good to hear you are alive. Thank God.

    From muslim, on Thu 3 Sep 10:55AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    There's no bloomin god

    From callum.luckett, on Thu 3 Sep 10:52AM

  13. I wish Jonathan well & quick recovery.
    No one knows­ why it happened to Jonathan, thank GOD he is still­ alive.
    Best of luck in all you do.
    I love football­ & everyone involve in the game.

    From smart o, on Thu 3 Sep 10:49AM

  14. @ Comment 250 (abiaziem e):

    It could have been anybody­ else, but it wasn't. It was him. God is his­ strength? I think you will find it is your­ "God" that did this to him. Its a bit like­ befriending someone who just crippled you in a car­ accident because they were drunk at the wheel.

    From Duncan H, on Thu 3 Sep 10:47AM

  15. get well soon from an everton supporter

    From aneesr, on Thu 3 Sep 10:41AM

  16. I hope Mr Richter recovers well,from a Pars fan.

    From , on Thu 3 Sep 10:26AM

  17. Disgusting that this game had been allowed to­ continue!!!! I truly hope that you have the strength­ and courage to overcome this, as no game in the world­ has the right for somebody to lose there leg. My­ thoughts are with you, your family, and near friends,­ be strong fella. From a SWANSEA CITY SUPPORTER, in­ south west wales.

    From Neil, on Thu 3 Sep 10:02AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    God is your strength.He will guide you through the­ right path of your destiny,we don,t know why it happend­ to you,but it could have been anybody else,God has a­ better purpose for you and your family.I wish you quick­ recover.Eunice-Lagos NGO

    From abiaziem, on Thu 3 Sep 9:45AM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    its a miracle how God does things,rither,just be glad­ you are alive and i believe it was for a very good­ reason and you will leave to tell and teach others­ about your experience.we wish you a quick recovery.dont­ take it negatively,just have faith it was for a very­ good reason man.you are a fighter,keep fighting.

    From yoza, on Thu 3 Sep 9:44AM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Ha! What a fantastic headline banner - Lightning strike­ player indeed! Once again Yahoo, kudos to whoever­ thinks up your hilarious funny headlines. This one­ rates up there with 'Hefty fine for man unfulfilled­ by @#$%'.

    Bad luck with the leg by the way and all­ the best for the future.

    From Stephen, on Thu 3 Sep 9:43AM
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