Thai Junior Golfer Aeya Pradubyart Dies After Lightning Strike

Aeyavarin "Aeya" Pradubyart, a 15-year-old junior golfer from Thailand, has died after being struck by lightning during a tournament in Chachoengsao. She was pronounced dead on Monday, November 2, two days after the strike.

Pradubyart was on the 11th hole, around 4 p.m. local time, as a storm moved through the area when she was struck. She was found without vital signs, and CPR restored her heartbeat before she was taken to a hospital and later transferred for further treatment. A subsequent lightning strike prompted officials to suspend the tournament and evacuate the remaining competitors. Pradubyart did not recover despite continued medical care overnight.

Her caddie, age 31, was also injured in the strike and remains under medical care.

Pradubyart was a member of the Thai Student Golf Union and a reserve for Chon Buri's provincial golf team. She won the girls' Class B division at the opening leg of the Junior Asian Tour in March.

Her mother, Natcha, shared a tribute on Facebook: "Rest in peace, my darling."