Monday, June 30, 2014
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
The Columbus Crew and FC Dallas paused before their scoreless draw Sunday to support the recovery of a firefighter who was struck by lightning in the southwest parking lot of Crew Stadium.
The Major League Soccer teams were scheduled to play on Saturday night, but their game was rescheduled after Stu Tudor was hit during a pregame storm. The 54-year-old lieutenant in the Columbus Fire Department is in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the Ohio State Medical Center.
The Crew and FC Dallas held a moment of silence before their game, and fans held up signs in support of Tudor, who was off duty at the time of the strike.
Columbus Fire Department Battalion Chief Tracy Smith says it’s not known if Tudor was struck directly but he had to be resuscitated. Smith said it takes between two and three days to determine the effects of a possible lightning strike.
A brief, heavy downpour began 18 minutes into Sunday’s game, but it was quickly replaced by sunshine for the remainder of the match. The weather was not a deterrent for Tim Hoehnke of the Columbus suburb of Bexley, who brought his family back to Crew Stadium for a second straight day.
“I’m not worried,” he said before the game. “It was kind of a freak storm that popped up real quick.”