“You were the bravest of all, my darling Aeya,” wrote Aeyavarin “Aeya” Pradubyart’s mother

NEED TO KNOW

• A 15-year-old golfer died following a lightning strike during a youth tournament in southern Thailand on Nov. 1
• Resuscitation efforts brought back her heartbeat, but she died at a hospital the next day
• “May Aeya’s case be the first and the last of its kind involving a youth golfer,” wrote the teen’s mother

A talented 15-year-old golfer is dead after being struck by lightning during a youth tournament at a golf course in southern Thailand. 

On Sunday, Nov. 1, at around 4 p.m. local time, Aeyavarin “Aeya” Pradubyart was hit by a bolt of lightning during a tournament in Chachoengsao province and died at a hospital a day later, The Independent, The Straits Times and the Bangkok Post reported. A 31-year-old caddie was also injured in the incident near the 11th hole, according to the outlets. 

“May Aeya’s case be the first and the last of its kind involving a youth golfer,” wrote Pradubyart’s mother, Natcha Izy Samitintu, on social media.

“I urge all golf courses and tournament organizers to implement comprehensive measures — both for prevention and for immediate, effective response,” she continued in the translated statement, “to ensure that no one else ever has to suffer such a loss again.”

The teen was a provincial-level golfer who had won multiple awards at past competitions, her family told the Times. This past Sunday at the event, her mother remembered seeing a lightning strike near a row of trees to the left of the golf course, which was followed by more strikes. Samitintu claimed that the young golfers continued to play until a loud strike and intense rain prompted officials to stop the competition, the outlet reported. 

Two people in Pradubyart’s group returned, but her mom didn’t see any signs of the teen until she heard that she’d been struck by lightning. When Samitintu hurried to her child’s side, the 15-year-old, who was covered in red burns, was already receiving first aid, according to the Times. The teen was initially unconscious, but her heartbeat was restored and she was transferred to a hospital, according to the reports. 

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Despite efforts to save her life, Pradubyart remained in critical condition overnight, the outlets reported. Her father, who was working in Myanmar, was able to reach the hospital to say goodbye before she died on Monday, Nov. 2, the family confirmed to the Times. 

“No parent ever finds it easy to let go of their child. But if holding on only brings pain to the child they love so dearly, then a mother and father must choose to let go — to set their child free from suffering,” wrote Samitintu. “You were the bravest of all, my darling Aeya.”

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