Mid-Day

Mumbai, Jun 22: Eight Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) students of Bhavans College, Girgaum, were struck by lightning at Chowpatty at 12.40 pm on Tuesday.

While one of them died immediately, the seven others were injured and taken to hospital.

The students

Sakhori More (19) succumbed to her burns on the spot. Sakhori lived with her younger sister and parents in Dongri. Her father Vijay More was in Alibaug when he was informed about the incident.

Six of the seven injured students — Bhawini Panchal (19), Aditi Kuchekar (19), Siddesh Chavan (19), Nitesh Khandekar (18), Hari Adhikari (22), Praful Patil (19) — were admitted to Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central. Ricky Gala (19), who suffered minor injuries, was not hospitalised.

Out on a stroll

The students had gone for a stroll to Chowpatty, as they had no lectures.

They left college at 11.30 am and reached the beach by noon. “When we reached there it was raining heavily.

There was lightning too. Before we could leave, we heard something like an explosion. The lightning struck us and we fainted on the spot,” said Ricky.

“When I regained consciousness, I saw that Sakhori was severely burnt. We were taken to Nair Hospital by the D B Marg police,” he added.

Sanjay Oak, dean of Nair Hospital, said, “Sakhori died of severe burn injuries. When a person is wet there is a higher chance of being struck by lightning.

A person can die either due to severe burns from lightning or due to a cardiac arrest. If you are out during a downpour, wear footwear made of non-conductive material. But preferably stay indoors during thunderstorms.”
 
Safety tips

Danger signs

Distant lightning and thunder.
Dark, towering, or threatening clouds or visible cloud bursts.

When indoors

Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors. Stand clear from windows, doors and electrical appliances.

Unplug appliances well before a storm nears — never during. Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity.

Do not use the telephone except for emergencies.
lightning can follow the electrical and phone lines.

When outdoors

Never use a tree as a shelter.
Avoid areas that are higher than the surrounding landscape.

Keep away from metal objects
Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.

Remove all metal objects from your body

Don’t stand in a crowd of people. If you feel a tingling sensation, your hair stands on end or you hear ‘buzzing’ from nearby rocks, fences, etc, move immediately. Lightning may be about to strike!

If someone around you is struck by lightning...
If the victim is burned, provide first aid and call the doctor immediately. Look for burns where Lightning entered and exited the body.

If the strike cause the victim’s heart and breathing to stop, give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until medical professionals arrive and take over. 
  
Lightning facts

• A person who has been struck by lightning does not carry any electrical charge that can shock other people

• Lightning deaths usually are caused by cardiac arrest; the lightning causes the heart to stop

• Lightning does not go through a person, rather it tends to flash around the outside or the body.

This will often turn the rain water or perspiration on the victim’s skin to steam that literally blows the clothing or footwear off their bodies.

• Only about 25% of people struck by lightning actually die

• Average lightning bolts carry a current of 10,000 to 30,000 amps

• Lightning can and often does strike more than one in the same place

• The temperature of lightning’s return stroke can reach 50,000°F.

The surface of the Sun is not even that hot (around 11,000°F)