A nine-year-old footballer was fatally struck by lightning as his horrified stepdad looked on from a car, a friend says.
The boy, named on Wednesday as Jordan Banks, was taking part in a private football coaching session when the tragedy occurred just after 5pm on Tuesday.
His wept as they visited a memorial at the football pitch in Blackburn, Lancs., on Wednesday morning.
Jordan's mother, father, stepfather and other relatives hugged, and a family member sank to his knees and sobbed at the spot where the lad was hit before leaving a bouquet of flowers.
Jordan, a Liverpool FC fan who was praised by star James Milner for charity work earlier this year, died after he was hit by lightning as a violent storm swept through the area.
Chris Campbell, whose son CJ was best friends with Jordan, said: "Jordan was having a one-to-one coaching session. His stepdad was in the car at the time. It is awful.
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"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."
At the memorial, nine-year-old CJ left flowers and a football with a message to Jordan written on it. He was travelling home from the Lake District when he heard about the tragedy.
CJ 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."
Jordan wore short number 7 for the Under 9s team at Clifton Rangers Junior Football Club, which described him as "extraordinary" and "an inspiration to everyone".
The Stanley Primary School pupil, the middle child of three, was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.
About 3,000 lightning strikes occurred in northern England during an eight-hour period.
Earlier this year, Jordan was called a "hero" for raising £3,000 for a mental health charity in memory of his stepdad's uncle Reece Begg, who died by suicide in July 2019.
Jordan, dubbed "mini-Milner" for his play on the pitch, ran 30 miles in ten days and was backed by Liverpool's vice-captain Milner, who sent a signed shirt and a video message hailing the "incredible feat", LancsLive reported.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Jordan's family, including his mum Danielle Begg and stepdad Dan Begg.
Family friend Jessica Marr, who set up the fundraiser, wrote: "There are no words that could possibly be written to begin to explain the pain the family of Jordan must be feeling.
"After raising £3k for Counselling in the Community just this year, in memory of his uncle, it’s now time for us to come together as a community and help give back to such an incredibly thoughtful and caring young lad who has been taken way too soon in a tragic incident.
"Anything, no matter how big or small donation, please help as I know whether you knew Jordan personally or have just heard about him through social media, this is something that is so heart wrenching and should never of happened."
Ms Marr added on Facebook: "I’m sure you’re all aware of the tragic news. If everyone could come together as a community and help give back to a little lad who did so much for others & help the family suffering from this horrific loss please do so.
"Any donation, big or small. All of my love, thoughts and prayers are with the Begg family right now."
The money raised by Jordan was donated to Counselling in the Community, which helps people from Blackpool and the Fylde area who are struggling with their mental health and cannot afford private sessions.
Given the high cost of private help, the charity offers counselling services in exchange for a donation.
Jordan's step-uncle Reece would have turned 30 this year, so he wanted to run a mile for each year.
In a video message shared on Facebook in January, as England was in its third coronavirus lockdown, Jordan thanked donors, made an appeal to his favourite football club and urged everyone to "stay safe".
Jordan said in the video: “I’m so happy and grateful from the donations from every single one of you, but remember keep them coming because it’s the best cause you could think of.
“Some of he runs have been very hard but I have been able to power through them.
“And remember stay safe, but I’ve just got one wish - if Liverpool could send me a text, anyone from Liverpool. Stay safe.”
His mum Danielle Begg, 38, told LancsLive in January: "We were coming up with several ideas for Reece's birthday and we were quite limited due to Covid restrictions.
"Jordan heard and said, 'I want to do something'. He said that he wanted to run a marathon."
When his mum told him that a marathon was 26 miles, Jordan told her he wanted to run 30. He ran about three miles a day despite the winter cold, rain and ice.
She added: "He's always been very determined and when he sets his mind to do something he does it.
"He's very caring and aware - more so than most adults to be honest.
"He'll always asks if people are ok. When Reece died we made sure that we re-assured him that's ok for boys to cry and that it's OK to have bad days.
"I think even at his young age he's aware that people can have mental health issues, that sometimes it can be more than just a bad day and that's ok."
Jordan and his stepdad Dan got the attention of Liverpool FC during the boy's charity campaign, and were stunned when the youngster received a video message from Milner as well as a signed shirt.
The footballer said: "Hi Jordan, how's it going? I've heard that you're doing an amazing thing in raising funds for counselling in honour of your uncle Reece.
"I think running a marathon is an incredible feat, and it's difficult with people doing it with legs a lot bigger than yours, but to do 30 miles is incredible.
"I heard you get called 'mini Milner' because you're very determined, so that's an amazing skill to have, never ever give up and I hear you've been out in all weather fighting in the cold and the rain, so you keep going, and keep doing what you're doing mate.
"Just remember you'll never walk alone, all the boys are behind you and I'll send you a couple of shirts - one for yourself for doing an amazing thing and another that you can hopefully raise a bit of money from and put it towards all the money you're raising.
"Well done bud, it's an amazing achievement and you should be very proud."
Mum Danielle told LancsLive at the time: "(Jordan is) made up, he cannot believe it. He's shaking and said, 'oh wow he knows my name'.
"He then said, 'it's crazy and I hope he likes me being like him'. He's in shock and I think I am too. He's so, so happy."
Referring to Liverpool FC's motto "you'll never walk alone", she added: "It's amazing and it's like it means that not only do they support us but also they stand with us - that times are hard but your not on your own."
Speaking at the time, Stuart Hutton-Brown, a family friend and counsellor and co-founder of Counselling in the Community, called Jordan "an absolute hero" for his efforts.
Following Jordan's death on Tuesday, Clifton Rangers Junior Football Club said: "It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart we announce that the tragic incident yesterday involved one of our own players.
"Jordan of our U9 Bees, tragically passed away yesterday evening doing what he loved. 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 will be working with the FA to support the family and anyone touched by this tragedy and ensure they get the help they need. At this time, whilst we come to terms with this most devastating loss, we will not be making any further comment.
"Fly High Young Man, Sleep Tight and God Bless."
Andy McDonald, chairman of Clifton Rangers, said: “Our hearts and our thoughts are with the parents of the young lad, who tragically passed away yesterday.
“On behalf of the club, we would like to wish our sorrow and condolences to the family.
“And at this moment in time our support is with his teammates, the coaches involved in the club and any of the parents.
“Jordan was the life and soul of the party and a fun-loving young lad.
“He loved life and raised money for charity.”
The club said Blackpool Council had cancelled all training sessions.
Friends of the family and local residents paid tribute to Jordan and offered condolences to his family following his death.
One person wrote on Facebook : "RIP Jordan, lad just wanting to play footy. Thoughts are with his family and friends."
In a touching tribute, mourners posted nine football emojis on their Facebook profiles.
Blackpool Council, which owns the playing fields, flew the town hall's flag at half-mast in tribute to Jordan.
Lancashire police said officers and paramedics were called after 5pm on Tuesday to the Common Edge playing fields.
Specialist officers were supporting the boy's family.
Spirit of Youth Junior FC, which uses the football field, said the boy was understood to have been taking part in a private coaching session.
In a statement, the club 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.”
Jonathan Barrett, treasurer of Spirit of Youth Junior FC, said: “The family have asked for privacy to be allowed to grieve, which we would like to respect. We simply cannot imagine what they are going through at this time.
“Spirit of Youth JFC, not just the committee but the whole club, has been shaken to the core from the events of yesterday evening.
"Once again, we would like to send our deepest condolences to all his family, friends, schoolmates, teammates and coaches, and again, we would like to offer our full support to anyone affected by the tragic events of yesterday.”
Detective Superintendent 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.”
In the UK, two people are killed by lightning every year on average.
There were about 3,000 lightning strikes across northern England between 4pm and midnight on Tuesday, the BBC reported.
