One boy was killed and another injured when they were struck by lightning this evening while playing baseball in Spotsylvania County.
Chelal Matos, 12, a Chancellor Middle School student, was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to Mary Washington Hospital, said 1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.
Scott said the second boy, who is 11, was taken to Mary Washington Hospital and was then airlifted to VCU Medical Center in Richmond. Scott said the youngster was in “very grave, critical condition.”
The report of the lightning strikes came in to the Sheriff’s Office at 6:26 p.m., Scott said, as the boys were playing baseball in the Spotsylvania Little League at Lee Hill Park, across from Lee Hill Elementary School. She said Lt. R.W. Gill responded to the scene in six minutes. When he arrived, two nurses who were attending the game were performing CPR on the boys, who were later taken to the hospital.
According to Scott, the umpires had halted the game because of the storm, but the two boys were playing catch in the field under the supervision of their parents. Scott said the lightning struck Matos, and the charge then transferred to the other boy.
Melvin Brown, principal at Chancellor Middle, said last night that a crisis team was being assembled and would be available at the school this morning to speak with students and faculty.
Brown also said the school will hold a faculty meeting at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Faculty members are being notified with the details that are available, Brown added.
Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
ebiltz@freelancestar.com