Brisbane Lions AFLW star Jessica Wuetschner struck by lightning
Brisbane Lions AFLW star Jess Wuetschner has had an incredible escape after being struck by lightning while she was at work. Find out how she survived without a scratch.
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Brisbane Lions AFLW star Jessica Wuetschner is lucky to be alive after she was struck by lightning while hanging from crane.
Wuetschner, 24, works as a stevedore at the Port of Brisbane docks and was on-board a crib inside a crane when a metal pole she was holding was hit by lightning just before 3am on Sunday.
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She was rushed to hospital and discharged later that morning.
Incredibly, she was cleared of any physical injury or burns.
The star AFLW player said she was physically fine but was still shaken up from the incident.
“Physically I am A-OK, but I’m still processing things mentally,” she said.
“I am feeling a bit flat physically so will be resting my body.
“I was very lucky and I’m feeling very fortunate.”
A combination of protective gear and having been “40 feet” off the ground is believed to have saved the 27-year-old from major injury.
Brisbane women’s football boss Breanna Brock said she could well have been killed.
“Pretty much. She’s very, very lucky,” Brock said.
“The hospital were like ‘you are a miracle – this could have been the worst news’.
“I think potentially because it was up in the air, that the lightning didn’t ground so it just passed through which is probably what’s been the saving grace. Someone’s watching over her.”
Brock said she was incredibly thankful that Wuetschner had escaped the worst.
“She has physically walked away without a scratch on her head so it’s just unbelievably lucky and we’re so thankful that was the outcome,” Brock said.
“Certainly the alternative could have been much, much worse.
“Burns are supposed to be a common side effect but she hasn’t even suffered any of that.”
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The Lions goalkicker has been cleared by doctors to return to training but will spend the week recovering at home.
Wuetschner is hoping to be ready to go for the Lions’ season-opening clash with Adelaide on February 8.
Her parents quickly travelled to Brisbane from their Hobart home, with the goalsneak taking a break to both physically and mentally recover from the ordeal.
She visited her concerned teammates at training on Tuesday afternoon to let them know she was OK.
“She had all of her teammates anxious to see for themselves that she was okay,” Brock said.
“She won’t come to training for the rest of the week.
“She’s just at home taking it easy. Her mum has flown up to Brisbane to be with her as well.”
Wuetschner is second on the all-time AFLW’s goal kicking list, having kicked 26 goals across her 23 games in the growing competition.
Originally published as Brisbane Lions AFLW star Jessica Wuetschner struck by lightning
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