Lightning Hits Football Field in Texas; 16 Hurt

Lightning struck a high school football player during practice Tuesday, critically injuring him and sending 15 others to the hospital.

The bolt apparently hit 15-year-old Clay Jones on the helmet, said Denise Walton, a spokeswoman for Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, 20 miles west.

He suffered cardiac arrest and burns and was in critical condition.

“If this kid makes it, it’s probably due to some fast acting by the coaches” who administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Forney Police Chief Rick Barnes said.

Twelve other students, two coaches and a trainer were also treated at hospitals. The coaches, trainer and at least one student were released.

Walton said some of the students have burns and internal injuries. A second student was admitted to the intensive care unit and the rest are in stable condition, she said.

About 100 people were on the field at Forney High School when a storm hit about 4 p.m., Barnes said.

“It was like a bomb went off,” said assistant coach Brad Turner.