Lightning bolts can end in tragedy

For decades a photograph of two American brothers grinning to the camera with their hair standing on end has served to remind the world of the danger of lightning strikes.

Michael and Sean McQuilken were struck by lightning bolts shortly after the image was captured while climbing Moro Rock in California’s Sequoia National Park on August 20, 1975.

Michael was 18 at the time and his brother was 12.

Though they survived the lightning strikes in the Sierra Nevada mountains, another hiker was killed during the storm.

Michael has said all he remembers of the incident was a flash of white, a huge explosion and being lifted off the ground by the force of the lightning strike.

Between 30 and 60 people are believed to be struck by lightning in the UK every year, with an average of three dying.

According to a UK study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, about 90% of victims struck by lightning bolts survive the incident.