Brazilian surfing champion dies after being struck by lightning at sea

Luzimara Souza. Image/Instagram

A Brazilian surfing champion has died after being struck by lightning while out for a surf off the coast of Fortaleza.

Luzimara Souza was surfing at Leste-Oeste Beach, a regular training spot of hers, on March 28 (NZT) when the incident occurred.

Diario do Nordeste reported the 23-year-old was unconscious when pulled from the water by a beach-goer and transported to the Instituto Dr. José Frota, a nearby hospital, but attempts to revive Souza were unsuccessful and she passed away soon after.

"I came here the moment she was struck," the rescuer told Diario do Nordeste. "Unfortunately, she received the discharge on top of her. She and the other surfers were hit by the lightning. I was able to rescue her and, in a short time, she was taken to the hospital."

Another surfer was also rescued and was taken to the headquarters of the Firefighters Search and Rescue Battalion, where he arrived unconscious, received the first aid, and was then sent to the same hospital. G1 Globo reported he was in a delicate condition.

Souza was reportedly out training for the upcoming Brazilian Championships, which were set to be contested in early April. Her coach, Jehovah Rodrigues, told Diario do Nordeste that Souza won the competition in 2018.

Lightning strikes pose a significant threat to surfers, with the voltage carrying horizontally across the water, meaning the danger is extended to people floating or swimming on or near the surface.

Surfers are advised to closely monitor weather conditions before heading out and react to any possible developing threat while on the water.