Side flashes generally occur when the victim is within a foot or two of the object that is struck. In essence, the person acts as a “short circuit: for some of energy in the lightning discharge. Most victims who survive lightning strikes actually experience not the type of direct hit shown here but rather what is known as a side flash:Ī side flash (also called a side splash) occurs when lightning strikes a taller object near the victim and a portion of the current jumps from taller object to the victim.Although the current from lightning may flow through the victim’s body for only a short time, it can short-circuit the body’s electrical systems, such as the heart and the respiratory center of the brain. Lightning can cause mild to severe damage to numerous body systems. Lightning strikes near the head may enter the eyes, ears, and mouth to cause multiple problems. Although not always fatal, direct strikes are associated with high morbidity, because they frequently involve the head. Metal (e.g., a hairpin) worn in the hair increases the chances of a direct strike compared with a metal object worn lower on the body. As noted in a 2001 medical article on lightning injuries and burns:ĭirect strikes occur when the victims are outside, often carrying metal objects, such as an umbrella. Direct lightning strikes to the body similar to the one shown in the video are rather uncommon (accounting for only about 3-5% lightning-related injuries), and the chances of receiving such a strike twice in a short period in time, in both instances without being killed or suffering extensive debilitating injuries (in the absence of immediate medical attention) are exceedingly low.A video clip in circulation online since 2011, appears to be security camera footage recorded during a storm in which a pedestrian is struck by a bolt of lightning, lies on the ground dazed or unconscious for about a minute, gets up and continues walking (while rubbing his presumably aching head), is promptly struck down by a second bolt of lighting (which he also survives), and after another half-minute gets up and strolls out of camera range:Īlthough we don’t yet know the specific origins of this video, it is, for a number of reasons, certainly a staged/created one and not actual camera footage of the occurrences it purports to depict:
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