Katherine Diaz, an El Salvadorian surfer who was an Olympic hopeful, died after she was struck by lightning while training on the beach.
The 22-year-old died Friday after she was struck with lightning near her home in El Tunco, El Salvador. According to the Olympic Channel, the country’s top surfer was still in the water when lightning struck her. Diaz died on the beach after paramedics could not resuscitate her.
Spanish newspaper AS reported that the Salvadoran Surf Federation said, “the sky was clear and it was an unforeseen storm that did not seem to carry much electrical intensity either.”
Diaz was preparing for the ISA World Surf Games in El Salvador, which is taking place May 29-June 6. That event serves as a qualifier for the Olympics, with surfing making a debut as a sport at the games in Tokyo.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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