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Crew match postponed after fan struck by lightning

Columbus Crew Stadium

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Crew called off Saturday evening’s match against FC Dallas due to “extenuating circumstances” after a fan was injured outside of the stadium during inclement weather.

Local reports have identified the injured fan, in critical condition, as off-duty firefighter Stu Tudor, 54, who was attending the game for a charity event. An eyewitness said lightning struck and Tudor was seen on ground with his shirt ripped. He reportedly went into cardiac arrest and was transported to OSU Medical Center after being resuscitated.

The club released a statement at 10:07 p.m., more than two hours after scheduled kick off, announcing a fan was transported for medical treatment and the match would be rescheduled.

“Prior to the Major League Soccer match between the Columbus Crew and FC Dallas on Saturday, June 28, first responders were called to Crew Stadium to address an incident surrounding the inclement weather that delayed tonight’s contest,” the statement said. “Due to these extenuating circumstances, the match was postponed.”

The statement continued: “During tonight’s thunderstorm that caused the severe weather delay, an individual was injured during the inclement weather and was transported to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. No other information surrounding the incident is known at this time. Complete rescheduling information regarding the match will be available in the near future, and tickets for tonight’s contest will be honored.”

Just minutes before kickoff, a strong thunderstorm rolled in to Columbus and lightning strikes and thunder claps could be seen and heard in the area, including one that was close by. By then, the match had been delayed until the weather cleared up. About an hour after the initial delay, the Crew announced that the match had been postponed.

The club announced early Sunday morning that the match has been rescheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. All tickets for the match will be honored, and fans who can’t make it to the game can have their tickets exchanged by July 3 for one of three upcoming home games.

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