Man killed after he was hit by lightning during a surfing lesson in Bali
A former professional soccer player from Melbourne has reportedly died after he was hit by a lightning strike while surfing in Bali with a friend.
It's understood Belgian footballer Denis Dasoul, who has been living in Australia for several years, died instantly after he was struck by a bolt of lightning while learning to surf in Kuta.
The 34-year-old's instructor is also said to have died in the accident, News Corp reports.
An eyewitness told local media parts of the bodies turned blue.
“They were finishing their session and sitting up on their boards. Both men fell off their boards and sank into the water,” the witness said.
Reports say the pair were taken to hospital but were unable to be revived.
Indonesian police spokesman Johannes H. Widya Nainggolan said the men “died on the spot”.
Dasoul retired from professional football in 2011 and moved to Melbourne with girlfriend.
They were on holiday at the time of his death.
Dasoul played for multiple clubs including Standard Liege, Royal Antwerp and Torres Sassari.
His friends have left multiple messages and tributes after the freak incident.
"Denis was a marvellous person who lived every day like it was the last,” Pascal Scime, a close friend of Dasoul's, wrote.
"He was always smiling and joking. This is a tragedy."
Italian club Torres Sassari also released a statement on his death.
Vous l'avez découvert dans "Trajectoires".Aujourd'hui, Denis Dasoul s'en est allé! 😥😥😥 Repose en paix mon ami, Mes condoléances à la famille pic.twitter.com/3JSjy5WQ3W
— Scimè Pascal (@lescal11) November 5, 2017
“A tragic accident took away a loved one, Denis Andre Dasoul, who was only 34 years old," the club said.
“Denis served for Torres in 2010 and 2011 and we are reminded of the great human he was and his professional qualities. To his family we send our most heartfelt condolences from the Torres Sassari club.”
Journalist and friend Pascal Scime said the incident was a “tragedy”.
“Denis was a marvellous person who lived every day like it was the last. He was always smiling and joking. A very nice guy. He was in Bali for holidays with his girlfriend,” he wrote on Twitter.
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