Birmingham teen struck by lightning fights for life

Jun 29 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

“There were 30 to 40 youngsters playing in the park. It was really busy because the weather was nice, but when the rain came they all ran for shelter,” he said.

Eyewitness Akhmed Hussain, aged 35, said: “I saw a flash of light and four people suddenly dropped to the floor - they just collapsed.

“One of the boys who fell down got up straight away, another got up about 30 seconds later. Two others just didn’t get up at all.

“The lad who got up was running around in a complete panic because his friends looked unconscious - he was stopping passing cars trying to get help.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service said paramedics arrived to find a passer-by had gone to the teenager and was trying to resuscitate him.

A second teenage boy suffered convulsions consistent with an electric shock.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said six boys, all aged between 16 and 17, were taken to hospital. Mohammed’s five pals were said to be in a “stable and well condition.”

The Met Office said showers were due to develop across the region this afternoon, with some becoming heavy and thundery, as temperatures soared towards a maximum of 28C.

EXPERTS warn never to shelter under a tree in the event of as lightning strike because if the branches are hit, electricity will run down the trunk and into the ground, causing a strong shock.

Instead, people should seek refuge in a house, large building or car.

If caught in an open field or park, the Met Office said it was advisable to move to a safe distance from trees, poles or metal objects and squat down close to the ground, with hands on knees and with head tucked between them.

People should touch as little of the ground with their body as possible and never lie down.