Surf
El Salvador’s top surfer and Olympic hopeful, Katherine Diaz, has died after she was struck by lightning while training on a beach. Diaz, 22, was training close to her home in El Tunco, El Salvador when an electrical storm hit the area. She was still in the water when she was struck by lightning. Onlookers tried to help her until the paramedics arrived, but Diaz could not be revived and reportedly died on the beach.
According to the Salvadoran Surf Federation, “the sky was clear, and it was an unforeseen storm that did not seem to carry much electrical intensity. The International Surfing Association shared a social media post offering condolences to her family.
Diaz was training for an upcoming tournament in El Salvador, aiming to become an Olympic qualifier. Diaz was also a chef and recently opened her own restaurant in El Tunco.
