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Father and two children badly injured after being struck by lightning in Antrim

A man and his young son and daughter have been badly injured after they were hit by lightning rep...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.36 7 Jun 2016


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Father and two children badly...

Father and two children badly injured after being struck by lightning in Antrim

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.36 7 Jun 2016


Share this article


A man and his young son and daughter have been badly injured after they were hit by lightning reportedly at a school sports event in Northern Ireland.

The 37-year-old victim and his family were making their way towards their family car when they were struck outside the school's main gate in Lisburn, Co Antrim, it is understood.

Staff at Killowen Primary provided emergency medical assistance, with the vice principal using a defibrillator on the father.

He and his five-year-old son are critically ill and fighting for their lives, while his seven-year-old daughter is in a serious condition.

Northern Ireland has been basking in sunshine for the past week, but there were warnings of heavy rain and thunderstorms for parts of the region today. 

The man is being treated at Lagan Valley Hospital and is set to be transferred to an intensive care unit.

The two children were taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast after suffering burns.

Northern Ireland's ambulance service said it sent a number of rapid response and A&E crews to the scene and a large police cordon was put up, which was later lifted.

Killowen principal Fiona Douglas confirmed a parent and two children had been hurt.

She said: "I can confirm that a parent and two children were injured outside the school's main gate this afternoon.

"School staff and parents attended to the injured family until the arrival of the emergency services.

"Following this all other pupils, accompanied by staff, went safely to nearby Laurel Hill Community College where they were collected by parents.

"The thoughts of the entire school community are with the family at this time."

Lisburn Councillor Pat Catney said: "This is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts are with the man and his son who have been taken to different hospitals in a critical condition.

"I also understand that the man's daughter has been taken to the Royal Hospital where she too is seriously ill."

 

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