SUNGAI PETANI, May 28 — A 31-year-old local man was fatally struck by lightning in Kampung Baru Pulau Tiga, Sungai Layar, yesterday night.
Kuala Muda district police chief ACP Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said the victim, Mohammad Shahrim Sheh Ali, was reportedly resting alone on a swing in a hut located in front of his house.
“The incident is believed to have occurred at 9.45pm, during heavy rain and lightning.
“The victim's wife, along with her brother and friends, thought that he was sleeping and did not want to disturb him...when his wife was about to wake him up at 10pm, the victim was found motionless and unconscious,” he said in a statement today.
Shahrim was rushed to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, and doctors confirmed that he had died en route.
“Further investigation found that the victim, who worked as a crane driver, was in good health and had no record of any chronic illness.
“Inspection found that there were burn marks on the wood used to hang the swing, and the electric wire was damaged.
"There were burn marks on the victim’s body believed to be caused by lightning... there was no element of crime,” he said, adding that the victim's body was taken to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for post-mortem.
— Bernama
