The player, José Hugo De la Cruz Meza, was involved in a regional tournament game between two low-level local teams, C.D. Juventud Bellavista and U.D. Familia Chocca, in Huancayo, Peru, when lightning struck the field, the Peruvian newspaper La República and other local news media reported.

Tragedy struck a local Peruvian football match on Sunday as a lightning bolt hit the pitch, killing 39-year-old defender Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza and injuring several others.

Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta was among those injured when the lightning struck the ground, and was rushed to hospital to be treated for serious burns, The Telegraph reports. According to PEOPLE, state news agency Andina reported that Llacta remained in stable condition, however, his condition had improved.

The deceased player was identified as 39-year-old Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza who fell face first on to the ground after he was struck by a lightning bolt and was killed instantly.

A soccer player was killed by a lightning strike during a game on Sunday in Peru, according to Peruvian state news service Andina and Reuters. José Hugo De

In a clip circulating on social media, Meza and four others were seemingly walking off the field when lightning struck. A brief spark was seen near one of the players and they immediately collapsed face-first during the televised game.