An Autopsy Series: Lightning-Related Deaths in Van and Hakkari Provinces

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this article are to report largest series of lightning-related deaths in Turkey, to review the literature about this subject, to define similarities and differences, between autopsy findings of the presented series and literature information. Methods: In this article, autopsy reports and crime scene investigation data of 11 lightningrelated fatalities that occurred in Van and Hakkari Provinces (Turkey) from January 1 st, 2011 to December 31 st , 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Eleven (2.53%) of 1,699 deaths which evaluated by medico-legal autopsy in Van and Hakkari Province in five years period, died due to lightning strikes. Of these cases, 10 (90.1%) were males and 1 (9.9%) was female (p<0.05). All cases between 11 and 33 age range. All cases was injured outdoors. Conclusion: We think that, the number of deaths due to lightning strike, that has seen relatively rare in Turkey, may be reduced with additional personal precautions such as to avoid from staying under trees or the vicinity of a high tower, to avoid from touching with metal object, to avoid from to lie on the ground, to avoid from to lie on the ground, to avoid from leaning against a wall, to crouch outdoors or enter indoor such as a building or car.

İstanbul’da 2007-2012 Yillari Arasinda Yildirim Çarpmasina Bağli Ölümler

“…[18] In the study of Hekimoglu and et al, the average age of cases died due to lightning strike was 23.5. [16] The mean age of the cases in the present study was 39.66±13.36 (min: 18, max: 56).…”

“…[14] In the study of Hekimoglu et al, was reported that 36.4% of cases were soldier and 36.4% were farmer. [16] In the present study, during the event, it was determined that six (66.7%) cases were engaged in farming in the field, two (22.2%) cases had been having a picnic, and one (11.1%) case had been hunting in the forest. It has been shown that close proximity to metal objects such as bicycles, trains and motor vehicles during a lightning incidents.…”

“…In some studies conducted in Turkey, all cases have the testimony of the witness. [16,21] In the present study, there was a witness who had saw a lightning strike at the scene in seven of nine cases. Moreover, although there was no external examination finding in the first and second cases, it was determined by the testimony of the witness that death due to a lightning strike occurred.…”

“…[15] In a study conducted in the east of Turkey, 90.1% (1/11) of the cases died due to lightning strikes were reported to be male. [16] In addition, it was stated that 87.5% of the cases in Eskisehir were male. [17] In the present study, three (33.3%) cases were female and six (66.7%) cases were male.…”

“…[18] In the study of Hekimoglu et al, five cases (45.5%) died in the summer and five cases died in the autumn. [16] In the study of Turan et al, all deaths were in summer. [21] In the present study, fatal lightning strike incidents were between April and September, but mostly in May.…”