Danish soccer player Jonathan Richter has leg amputated after being struck by lightning

Player’s leg amputated after lightning strike

COPENHAGEN — Danish soccer player Jonathan Richter has had the lower part of his left leg amputated, six weeks after he was struck by lightning during a reserve game.

The FC Nordsjaelland defender’s condition is improving and he will “very soon” be moved from the intensive care unit at a Copenhagen hospital, his family said in a statement posted Tuesday on the club’s Web page.

It said he “was making great progress” but gave no further details on the 24 year old.

Richter was struck during a brief thunder storm July 20 while playing against second-tier team Hvidovre. He was placed in an induced coma for 10 days.

Richter joined FC Nordsjaelland in 2005. The club is currently eighth in the Danish league standings.