Home / Disasters and Accidents / Edmonton Woman Survives Rare Lightning Strike Amid Severe Storms
Edmonton Woman Survives Rare Lightning Strike Amid Severe Storms
25 Jul
Summary
- Edmonton woman struck by lightning during thunderstorm
- Suffered cardiac arrest and severe burns, now in intensive care
- Expected to make full recovery after incident on Thursday
On Thursday, an Edmonton woman was struck by lightning as severe thunderstorms swept through the city. The woman, a 21-year-old resident of the Callingwood South neighborhood, was outside her home when she was surrounded by a flash and fell unconscious to the ground.
Her friend and roommate, Laura Penner, witnessed the incident from their living room window. Penner described a bright light surrounding the woman and a loud boom as she was struck. Paramedics were called to the scene around 4:15 PM and rushed the woman to the hospital in critical condition.
The woman suffered a cardiac arrest and severe burns across her shoulder and torso. She remains in intensive care in an induced coma but is expected to make a full recovery, according to Penner. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lightning can pose during severe weather events. Environment Canada reported over 1,200 lightning flashes in the Edmonton region that day, making it one of the most active days for thunderstorm activity so far this season.
