21-Year-Old Soccer Player Dies After Being Struck by Lightning During Practice: ‘Her Life Taken Away in a Minute’

A soccer player died after being struck by lightning during a severe storm in Australia. 

At around 5:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, Oct. 30, emergency services were called to the Cooroy Sporting Complex in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, local news outlets ABC, News.com.au and 9 News reported.

A 21-year-old woman, identified as Finley Bone, was found in a critical condition having been struck by lightning amid a storm.

The member of the Noosa Lions Football Club was practicing goal kicking with her partner when she was struck, per the outlets. Emergency services rushed Bone to Nambour Hospital, but she later died.

“No one can believe this happened,” Bone’s mom, Donna Markert, told ABC. “Fin had her life taken away in a minute.”

Ms Markert thanked first responders for their efforts to help her daughter after she was struck.

“Our heartfelt thanks to the emergency team who responded in minutes, and the ED at Nambour Hospital,” she told ABC. “They gave us next-level care.”

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Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) senior operations supervisor Danielle Williams praised the bystanders who assisted before emergency services arrived.

"I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of the bystanders at the scene who attempted to use an AED [automated external defibrillator] prior to our arrival," said Williams, per ABC. "It was a very challenging scene because the storm was still happening when we arrived.”

She said storms can be “unpredictable” and urged people to take shelter amid forecasts of more thunderstorms, strong winds and hailstones for the weekend in Queensland.

"If people can, seek shelter in a safe space in the house, look after your neighbours in the community and stay away from windows," Williams told ABC. "The bathroom is the safest place in the house to seek shelter."

Noosa Lions F.C. honored Bone on Instagram by sharing three photos and a heartfelt tribute.

“Noosa Lions Football Club is devastated by the tragic loss of Finley Bone,” the football team wrote. “Finley was a much-loved member of our FQPL3 Women's team and a coach of our u12/13 girls. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Paul and Donna and all of Finley's family and friends 💙”

Cooroora United Football Club, where the lightning strike occurred, said in a statement on Facebook that they are “deeply saddened” by the incident. 

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and members of our club community who have been impacted by this tragic loss,” they wrote.  “The club is working closely with Football Queensland to provide counselling and support services to the family of the individual and to impacted club members...”

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“All football activities at the club will remain suspended until further notice, and we ask for ongoing patience as we navigate this difficult time,” Cooroora United Football Club concluded.

Sunshine Coast Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland described Bone’s death as a “tragic incident,” according to Sunshine Coast News.

Queensland Police are preparing a report for the coroner. 

Noosa Lions Football Club, Queensland Police and the Queensland Ambulance Service did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Friday, Oct. 31.