Deaths and injuries from lightning in the UK, 1988–2012

Abstract

To assess the lightning risk to people in the UK, a 25‐year database was compiled of incidents in which people experienced an electrical shock due to lightning. The 445 known incidents involved 722 people. On average, two people were killed each year. Incident locations are analysed and discussed. Nearly half of all incidents occurred indoors but outdoor incidents accounted for two‐thirds of all people struck. 44% of outdoor incidents resulted in serious injuries or death but only 2% of indoor incidents involved serious injury and none were fatal. The incidents highlight that more lightning risk awareness is needed.

Cardiac Effects of Lightning Strikes

“…Over the last three decades, there has been a reduction in the case fatality rate. 7,49,50 This can be attributed to several reasons including better public education and safety regulations for outdoor and indoor activities, lightning protection measures in buildings and other structures, as well as medical pathways and protocols to promptly tend to and manage victims effectively. 7 Nonetheless, despite ease of access to more accurate weather forecasting and thunderstorm warning systems, people may still get caught in adverse weather.…”

“…Seek a well-grounded, enclosed building, or if this is not available an enclosed metal-topped vehicle (which will dissipate the electric current around the victim and directly to the ground). 7 Hiding under trees can be a lethal decision as electric current from a potential tree strike can conduct to the victim from the trunk, or significantly injure the person from explosive decompression of vaporized sap. 51 Furthermore, following a strike, it is important to avoid touching objects or building structures which are insulated from the ground, as they may retain electrical charge for some time.…”

“…6 In the UK between 1988 and 2012, the TORRO database has recorded 445 incidents involving 722 people, with an annual average of two fatalities and 30 injured victims per year, and hospital coding records show that 63 patients were treated in an in-patient or out-patient setting due to lighting-related pathologies. 7 In one third of the recorded incidents, more than one person was involved. Half of the recorded incidents occurred indoors and these were non-fatal, though the majority of people suffered a strike when they were involved in outdoor activities.…”

“…Half of the recorded incidents occurred indoors and these were non-fatal, though the majority of people suffered a strike when they were involved in outdoor activities. 7 The electrical current may reach the body in several ways, both directly and indirectly and this has been well reviewed by Elsom and Webb. 7 In a direct strike which commonly involves the upper extremities, the current passes over the surface of the body, without most of it penetrating the victim ('external flashover').…”

Lightning fatalities and injuries in Turkey

“…In Canada, 9-10 lightning-related deaths and 92-164 injuries occur every year (Mills et al, 2008). In the UK there were 2 fatalities per year on average for the period of 1988-2012 (Elsom and Webb, 2014). Average fatality per year was 230 in Mexico for the period of 1979-2011 (Raga et al, 2014).…”