KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) says a Haile Selassie student who was yesterday affected by lightning at the school’s field off Spanish Town Road is responsive and test results indicate that he has no internal injuries.

ISSA, in a statement today, said the student, who was at a Manning Cup match, remains admitted at the Kingston Public Hospital for monitoring.

The association said the report from the referee indicates that the game started promptly and in good weather as there was no rain at all.

“Approximately five minutes into the game rain started and eventually the downpour became heavy with the runoff from the school compound creating waterlogged field. He called off the game after 16 minutes. Up to the time of him calling off the game there was no visible or audible signs of lightning or thunder.

“After leaving the field of play he went to move his vehicle and then went inside the changing room to change out of his uniform. While changing, he heard the lightning strike and upon going outside saw some Haile Selassie students running from the field. He was then informed that a student was struck by lightning while removing items from the playfield,” the statement continued.

ISSA said a Haile Selassie staff member at the game commended the referee for making a wise decision in calling off the game before signs of lightning or thunder, as they believe casualties could have been much worse had the game been in play.

President of ISSA Keith Wellington said the association has sought assistance from the Ministry of Health and Wellness

 “The health and well-being of athletes is a priority. We have guidelines and policies to reduce the likelihood of something like this happening but these have been extraordinary times and hence we have made additional changes to the schedule since the first incident.

“We are currently in discussions with the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Emergency Medical Department who will issue an advisory in short order regarding the matter of how the public should respond in circumstances relating to the current adverse weather patterns,” Wellington said.