Boy (14) struck by lightning in CBD

A MUTARE Boys High School Form One learner, Lawrence Dzinokuvara (14) was struck by lightning in the Central Business District (CBD) on Sunday.

The incident, which left deceased with torn clothes and bruises on the left side of his back, happened around 4pm near Tims Butchery in the downtown area of Mutare.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident.

He said Lawrence was in the company of his mother and sibling when the tragic incident occurred.

“He was walking along a footpath near Tims Butchery, crossing End Avenue in the downtown area of Mutare, together his mother, Ms Memory Nyakudya (45) and his young sister.

“When they were near Tims Butchery, it started raining with thunderstorm and lighting. The three were covering themselves with one umbrella. Lawrence decided to run towards Tims Butchery to seek shelter. When he was under a gum tree, he was struck by lightning and fell on the ground.

“Ms Nyakudya ran towards him to assist, and noticed bruises on the left side of his back. The T-shirt and trousers he was wearing were torn into pieces. A well-wisher assisted with transport to ferry Lawrence to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he said.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged members of the public to seek safe shelter each time it rains with thunderstorms and lightning.

According to research, when lightning strikes a tree, the charge doesn’t penetrate deep into the ground, but rather spreads out along the ground surface.

This is called ground current and can lead to multiple injuries and deaths.