Introduction: Lightning injuries are uncommon with scarce reports detailing incidence and local experience. We present a case study of three patients involved in a single lightning strike in Northern Ireland with a review of the incidence of similar injuries in the province. Methods: Data from TORRO’s National Lightning Incidents Database between 1987 and 2016 (30 years) were searched to identify victims of lightning injuries in Northern Ireland. Information on three patients with lightning injuries that were managed in our regional burns and plastic surgery service was collected and examined. A supplementary search in hospital records was conducted for the last 20 years to identify additional data. Results: Prior to our study, six victims of lightning injuries were identified from the database, of which five survived and one died. Our three patients comprised of two children and one accompanying adult. All of them survived however the adult suffered cardiac arrest and required a prolonged period of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Conclusion: While lightning injuries are rare in Northern Ireland, this is the first report of more than one person affected by a single lightning incident in the province. In our limited experience, immediate public response and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts facilitated by automated defibrillators result in a favourable outcome.
Sleiwah, AseelBaker, JillGowers, ChristopherElsom, Derek M.Rashid, Abid
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences\Department of Social Sciences
Year of publication: 2018Date of RADAR deposit: 2018-04-04