Kieron Thayre discusses the rare but potentially deadly phenomenon of lightning strike injuries

In the United States lightning is responsible for more deaths than any other naturally occurring disaster including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes (1). Estimates suggest that between 300-600 people the of lightning injuries each year and that several thousand more are injured but survive (2).

Lightning always seeks out the conductive route of least resistance, therefore do not believe the old saying that lightning never strikes twice in the same place. It frequently does. Being the tallest object in the vicinity increases the chances of being struck. It is important to ovoid standing on an exposed hill top, on wide open golf courses or sports fields, sheltering under the nearest toll tree, swimming or being on a boat on a lake are some of the worst places to be during a storm (2)