Tragedy Strikes Sunshine Coast: 21-Year-Old Soccer Star Finley Bone Killed by Lightning Strike at Cooroy Sporting Complex
- A devastating lightning strike has claimed the life of 21-year-old Finley Bone, a talented soccer player from the Sunshine Coast.
- Finley was practicing goal kicking with her partner at the Cooroy Sporting Complex when the tragedy occurred.
- The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with Finley’s family and friends struggling to come to terms with the loss.
- More severe thunderstorms are forecast to hit the Sunshine Coast on Friday and over the weekend, bringing with them the threat of further lightning strikes.
Finley Bone, a 21-year-old soccer star from the Sunshine Coast, has been identified as the victim of a fatal lightning strike at the Cooroy Sporting Complex. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, when Finley was practicing goal kicking with her partner at the local soccer fields.
Emergency services were called to the scene just before 5:30pm, and Finley was taken to Nambour Hospital in a critical condition. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Finley sadly passed away.
Finley’s mother, Donna Markert, has spoken out about the family’s shock and grief. “No one can believe this happened,” she said. “Fin had her life taken away in a minute.”
Finley was a talented athlete who excelled in a range of sports, including swimming, sprints, discus, javelin, touch football, and soccer. She was a member of the Noosa Lions Soccer Club and had trained a junior squad.
The Cooroy Sporting Complex has been closed out of respect, and the Cooroora United Football Club has asked for patience as the community navigates the aftermath of the tragedy. The club has urged members to maintain a supportive environment for those affected.
More severe thunderstorms are forecast to hit the Sunshine Coast on Friday and over the weekend, bringing with them the threat of further lightning strikes. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that a storm supercell on Saturday could bring giant hail, destructive winds, and flash flooding to the same areas at risk of activity today.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, lightning was responsible for 21 deaths across Australia in the 10 years to 2021. Data gathered by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows 210 people were taken to hospital with injuries caused by lightning from 2012 to 2022.