A promising Australian goalkeeper Stefan Petrovski was hospitalised after being struck by lightning in Malaysia but he couldn’t make it
A promising young Australian goalkeeper has died in hospital after he was struck by lightning during a training session in Malaysia last month.
Stefan Petrovski, 18, had been in intensive care following the freak accident in Malacca on April 5.
Stefan Petrovski, of mixed Malaysian and Australian heritage, along with 21-year-old defender Muhd Afiq Azuan were struck by lightning as they left training with second tier Melaka United on Tuesday and were rushed to hospital.
The Melaka United player was one of two players admitted to hospital when a lightning bolt struck the goal posts he was standing close to.
The Sydney teenager had survived a heart attack and showed signs of recovery, but his condition recently deteriorated. Scans revealed Cerebral Hypoxia Ischemia, caused by a lack of oxygen supplied to the brain. It’s understood he also developed Severe Cerebral Edema, swelling of the brain.
A spokesperson from Putra Specialist Hospital said Petrovski passed away on Sunday at 4.40pm.
His teammate who was also struck by lightning – 21-year-old defender Muhd Afiq Azuan – regained consciousness and was stabilised.
“This is a totally unexpected incident because it was not raining heavily at the time, ” said Malacca Chief Minister Seri Idris Haron, addign that the incident had caught everyone by surprise.
He added that 29 players were at the youth training session when the incident happened with goalkeeper coach Rosli Hashim and physiotherapist Ahmad Faisal Miswan that fortunate to escape injury.
Petrovski had only recently moved abroad and signed a three-year-deal with Melaka United after gaining his Malaysian passport.
He was yet to make his league debut for the club.
The shot-stopper previously played with NSW Premier League club Sydney Olympic.
