‘Taken away in a minute’: Tributes pour in after young footballer Finley Bone killed by lightning on Sunshine Coast

The young woman killed after being struck by lightning during a severe storm on the Sunshine Coast has been identified as 21-year-old Finley Bone, a talented athlete and much-loved member of the Noosa Lions Football Club. Emergency services were called to the Cooroy Sporting Complex, near Noosa, just before 5.30pm on Thursday after Ms Bone was struck while practising goal kicking with her partner. She was taken to Nambour Hospital in a critical condition but later died. Her mother Donna Markert told the ABC the family was still reeling from the shock. “No one can believe this happened,” Ms Markert said. “Fin had her life taken away in a minute.” Ms Markert said her daughter had been passionate about sport and excelled in everything she took on. “Fin excelled in swimming, sprints, discus, javelin and later in touch football and soccer at Noosa Lions,” she told the ABC. “We are a close-knit family, and today we are spending time with Fin’s older brothers and sister, nephews, aunties and uncles.” She also thanked those who rushed to help. “Our heartfelt thanks to the emergency team who responded in minutes, and the ED at Nambour Hospital,” Ms Markert said. “They gave us next-level care.” The Noosa Lions Football Club said they were “devastated” by the loss of one of their own. “Finley was a much-loved member of our FQPL3 Women’s team and a coach of our U12/13 girls,” the club said in a Facebook post. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Paul and Donna and all Finley’s family and friends.” Cooroy-based Cooroora United Football Club, where the incident occurred, also released a statement acknowledging the tragedy and the actions of those who were present. “Out of privacy for those directly impacted, it is not yet appropriate to share details of the incident,” the club said. “It is appropriate to share that those in and around the grounds, including both members and emergency services, showed admirable action, respect and care for each other.” Witnesses described hearing a “horrifically loud bang” as the lightning struck during heavy rain, with one local telling The Courier Mail they were “very shaken” by what they saw. Queensland Police said a report will be prepared for the Coroner. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that more severe thunderstorms bringing lightning, strong winds and large hailstones are forecast to hit large parts of Queensland through the weekend, including the Sunshine Coast.