Lightning strike kills 2 in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY (PNA) – Police authorities here have reminded motorists to be more careful during sudden thunderstorms and avoid being hit by lightning strikes, after two banana plantation workers were struck and killed by lightning Monday.

Chief Insp. Joel Fuerte, police chief of Surallah, South Cotabato, advised motorists to take cover and avoid exposing to open fields during sudden downpour coupled with lightning and thunderstorms.

On Sunday, two workers of a multinational firm in Surallah, South Cotabato were killed by lightning strike.

Fuerte identified the victims as Danny Danao, 23 of Barangay Kusan, Banga town and Nestor Feller, 38, of Barangay Dajay, Surallah town, both in South Cotabato.

Both were workers of Sumifru Corporation, a banana production firm operating in Surallah, South Cotabato.

The two were heading home from work at about 6:30 p.m. when a thunderstorm, accompanied by light rain, struck.

Fuerte said witnesses told police investigators that one of the two victims was talking to someone through his mobile phone when his gadget was struck by lightning.

“It appeared the lightning chased them as they motored along the national highway,” he said of the incident while the victims were along the national highway in Barangay Dajay.

The victims had injuries and third degree burns as a result of lightning strike. They both fell from the motorbike.

Passersby rushed them to the hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

It was the second incident of death as a result of lightning strikes this year. In early February, a farmer and his water buffalo were killed when lightning struck.