Heartbroken family of son, 9, killed by lightning playing football pay tribute to ‘boy with golden curls’

 THE heartbroken family of a boy killed by lightning have paid tribute to their "brightest star" with "golden curls".

Jordan Banks, 9, was playing football in a field in Blackpool when the horrhor unfolded yesterday.

Jordan was killed by lightning while playing football in Blackpool yesterday
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Jordan was killed by lightning while playing football in Blackpool yesterdayCredit: Lancashire Police
Jordan's devastated stepdad shared this picture of them together today
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Jordan's devastated stepdad shared this picture of them together todayCredit: INSTAGRAM/DANIEL BEGG
Jordan died in hospital after the freak accident
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Jordan died in hospital after the freak accident

He was rushed to hospital but sadly couldn't be saved and died shortly after.

In a statement, his family said: "Yesterday our worlds stopped. We lost the brightest star our beautiful boy Jordan.

"His laugh, that infectious smile, golden curls, he was our everything. Wise beyond his years, caring, considerate, generous and so loving.

"Our love is endless. Goodnight beautiful boy. We thank you all for your kind words and support but as a family ask that you respect our wishes and privacy.”

Jordan's devastated stepdad Daniel Begg shared an emotional picture to Instagram today showing him holding hands with the nine-year-old.

It was captioned: "Hand in hand....always" alongside three heart emojis.

Daniel was just feet away sitting in a car when the child was struck by the bolt of lightning, his friend said.

Tributes left at the scene for the little boy
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Tributes left at the scene for the little boyCredit: Mercury
The youngster was playing football when the tragedy unfolded
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The youngster was playing football when the tragedy unfolded
Jordan was being coached on a football pitch when he was struck by lightning
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Jordan was being coached on a football pitch when he was struck by lightningCredit: Lancashire Police

Campbell, whose son was friends with Jordan, said: “Jordan was having a one-to-one coaching session.

“His step-dad was in the car at the time. It is awful.

“He was having a coaching session at the time to help improve his game.

“I feel so sorry for his family and what they are going through.”

Mr Campbell's son CJ, 9, paid tribute to his pal by leaving a football and flowers. He was travelling home from the Lake District when he heard.


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He said: “I am very sad about what happened.

“Jordan was my best friend and I’m going to miss him. I’ve known him since reception class.

“We played football against each other.

“He was very funny and caring and had raised money for charity. He was in my class at school.”

Tributes have flooded in from Jordan's football team, the Clifton Rangers Junior FC.

They said: "Jordan of our U9 Bees, tragically passed away yesterday evening doing what he loved.

Jordan has been described as a 'superstar'
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Jordan has been described as a 'superstar'Credit: Facebook

"Jordan was a Shining Light and an inspiration to everyone that he met. A strong, determined and courageous young man, who will be missed by everyone.

"The world has truly lost an extraordinary young man, who had done so much good in his community.

"We cannot begin to imagine the grief of the family. Our thoughts, prayers, love and hugs go out to them all and to his teammates, friends and coaches who are devastated by the loss."

The club said they will be working with the Football Association to "support the family and anyone else touched by this tragedy".

Jordan was a keen footballer and was praised earlier this year by Liverpool star James Milner for his "incredible" charity work.

The youngster raised £2,500 by running 30 miles for a local mental health charity in honour of his Uncle Reece, who took his own life in 2018.

Flowers have been left at the scene for the "little superstar" with a local church to hold services later.

Police at the scene in Blackpool
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Police at the scene in BlackpoolCredit: dave nelson
Tributes have been left for Jordan
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Tributes have been left for JordanCredit: Mercury
The nine-year-old was playing football when the horror unfolded
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The nine-year-old was playing football when the horror unfoldedCredit: Mercury
He is understood to be local to the Blackpool area
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He is understood to be local to the Blackpool areaCredit: Mercury

Spirit of Youth Junior FC, who use the playing field, paid tribute to Jordan.

They said: “It is with deepest regret that we have to report the news that the young boy who was struck by lightning earlier this evening has sadly passed away.

“The tragic incident happened on our home ground at Common Edge playing fields but it was not during a club training session.

“As a club, we are heartbroken and we offer our deepest condolences to the boy’s family.

“Spirit of Youth is a family and we are entrenched in the local community, and we will give whatever support is required to both the family and to those that were with him at the time.

“We would ask that people respect the privacy of the family at this most tragic of times. Rest In Peace young man."

Football shirts have been left on the playing field
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Football shirts have been left on the playing fieldCredit: Mercury
He was part of a local youth football club
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He was part of a local youth football clubCredit: dave nelson

Blackpool South's MP Scott Benton said he was "incredibly sorry to hear this tragic and heartbreaking news".

"I'm sure I speak for the whole community when I say that everybody in Blackpool will be thinking of the boy's family and friends at this sad time," he said.

Witnesses have now told how the boy was struck as he trained in the storm.

One said: "It was a one-on-one football session. My sister saw him at school playing with his friends he was friends with my little nephew next minute we find out this so so sad.

"It's definitely hit hard as we knew his family personally you just wouldn't ever think something like that would happen it's so heartbreaking I mean what are the chances."

Officers were called to the sports field on School Road, Blackpool, shortly after 5pm yesterday to reports that a child had been injured.

Police say that although enquiries are still ongoing, at this time they "believe the boy had been struck by lightning."Det Supt Nick Connaughton of Lancashire Police said: "This is a truly devastating incident and our thoughts are wholeheartedly with the family and friends of the young boy, who has passed away, at this very sad and distressing time."

Road closures in place following the incident have now been lifted.

Anybody with information about the incident, or who witnessed it and has not yet spoken to police is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log 1169 of May 11.

Cops were called to the sports field on School Road, Blackpool
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Cops were called to the sports field on School Road, BlackpoolCredit: dave nelson
Lightning hitting the Blackpool coast earlier on Tuesday
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Lightning hitting the Blackpool coast earlier on TuesdayC

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