Lightning bolt kills soccer ace Den

SEA TRAGEDY: Dasoul was learning to surf A RETIRED footballer was killed in a freak accident after being struck by LIGHTNING as he learned how to surf.

Denis Dasoul, 34, had spells with Standard Liege, Genk and Royal Antwerp and captained Belgium at youth level.

He retired in 2011 and moved to Melbourne in Australia with girlfriend Pellaers Allison, before travelling to Bali last week to fulfil his dream of learning to surf.

Dasoul paddled out with his instructor on Sunday afternoon, with grey clouds and light drizzle overhead at the Batu Bolong beach in the Canggu district.

Horrified witnesses described seeing a huge bolt of lightning tear down from the sky and hit Denis close to shore.

He died instantly. His surf instructor was also killed in the freak accident.

One eyewitness said he saw Denis and his instructor in the water as the lightning hit them.

He said: “They were finishing their session and sitting up on their boards. Both men fell off their boards and sank into the water.”

Locals pulled the two men from water before an ambulance rushed them to hospital.

Police said believed Denis killed instantly being hit by lightning.

A number of Dasoul’s former clubs came out on social media to post tributes.

Italian club Torres Sassari stated: “A tragic accident took away a loved one, Denis Andre Dasoul, who was only 34 years old.

“Denis served for Torres in 2010 and 2011 and we are reminded of the great human he was and his professional qualities.

“To his family we send our most heartfelt condolences.” they was after the