Man killed instantly after being struck by lightning at child's birthday party

05 December 2023 , 14:43

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Victor Lescano died after he was struck by lightning at the party (Image: Newsflash)

A man was killed instantly when a bolt of lightning struck an open air birthday party injuring three others.

Victor Lescano died after the thunderstorm hit the gathering in Puma Husai, Argentina, on Sunday. Guests were celebrating a 15-year-old's birthday at the time when storm clouds rolled in, sending everyone running for cover.

The 26-year-old was hit by a bolt of electricity in the storm, Argentinian media reports, alongside three other guests at the party. Mr Lescano was rushed to hospital but sadly declared dead upon arrival.

One other guest, Betiana Orona, 23, was treated in hospital but two others needed only first aid. Lescano's sister Yani Lescano posted a tribute to her brother, writing on Facebook: "Fly high, may the light that has no end shine on you.

Vctor Lescano in Santiago del Estero, Argentina (Newsflash)

Vctor Lescano poses in undated photo (Newsflash)

"My tears are unstoppable. Give me the strength to continue. I'm going to miss you every day of my life." Police and prosecutor Lorena Belkis Alderete are investigating the death, according to local media.

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Last month, we reported how a hiker filmed the horror moment when a bolt of lightning struck her mountain guide dead.

Victim Leilson Barros de Souza was hit by the bolt as he led a group up a monolith. Hiker Karlla Concei o Ara jo da Silva was filming the stunning views from the top when the horror unfolded. Her footage shows how Leilson, 36, walks to the edge of a precipice with his green rucksack on his back.

Karlla, 26, then turns the camera onto herself. But as she smiles, lightning suddenly strikes and causes her to scream and recoil in fright. As she looks up to the sky in awe, a male voice can be heard off camera saying: "Oh my God, the guy died, man." Karlla's husband, who was also on the hike, called the emergency services at around 11 am on November 19.

The Fire Department later removed the guide's body from the scene using a helicopter. Karlla's brother, who is training to be a mountain guide, led the group back down the landmark Pedra da G vea rock in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The hike to the monolith's summit and back takes four hours in total and involves rappelling.

Karlla told local media: "It was heartbreaking. All I could do was cry, and we were in total despair. I wanted to go down, but at the same time, I was afraid because more lightning could strike." The group had been told about the chance of rain but had decided to press on with the hike because of the unreliability of the forecast..

Karlla recalled: "Midway, it started raining, just a drizzle. The guide asked if we wanted to continue, and everyone agreed. The guide mentioned there was a chance to reach the end and have a view with the sun."

Susie Beever