Stefan Petrovski dead: Australian footballer dies after being struck by lightning

Teenager Stefan Petrovski passes away in hospital after being struck in Malaysia last month

Stefan Petrovski passed away after being struck by lightning (Getty)

An Australian football player has passed away after being struck by lightning last month. Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Stefan Petrovski was struck after training for second-tier side Melaka United in Malaysia on 5 April. He lost consciousness and has now died in hospital.

He was admitted to a Malacca hospital and transferred to an intensive care unit, where a ventilator helped him breathe. Initial signs of recovery preceded a sudden deterioration. The teenager was said to be suffering from a lack of oxygen and swelling on the brain.

Team-mate Muhd Afiq Azuan, 21, was also struck in the incident but regained consciousness.

“I was shocked when I was told of the news,” club vice-president Khairi Anuar Ahmad said.

“He was a dedicated goalkeeper and wanted to be the best in the country. He was very jovial, a good boy, liked by his team-mates.”

Of mixed Australian and Malaysian parentage, Petrovski played for NSW Premier League club Sydney Olympic before departing for Malaysia.