Dog walker bursts into flames after being struck by lightning

A dog walker burst into flames after he was struck by a 300,000 volt lightning bolt as he sheltered under a tree during a thunders storm.

Brad Gifford, 38, was struck his right ear lobe before the electricity travelled through his body and exited via his ankle.



He was knocked unconscious, burst both ear drums and burst into flames, suffering 11 per cent burns to his body.

Mr Gifford was burned across his shoulder, groin and left leg, and only realised what had happened when he woke up the next day in intensive care in hospital.


Photo from here.

The strike which travelled at 14,000mph, heated the air around it to 54,032F (30,000C) - five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

But Mr Gifford cannot recall anything of the terrifying incident.