PATHUM THANI — A woman died after being hit by lightning while riding pillion in the rain with her four year-old nephew who was slightly injured on Sunday afternoon.
Isaraporn Loesking, 24, was travelling on a motorcycle driven by her younger brother Pongpat, 19, on a small road that passes through open rice fields in tambon Khlong 5 in Khlong Luang district when a bolt of lightning directly struck her, killing her instantly.
Lightning left a deep hole in the seat of the motorcycle on which Isaraporn Loesking was travelling. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)
The powerful impact caused the three to fall off the bike. The seat where Isaraporn sat was holed and ripped by the bolt. Isaraporn’s nephew, who sat in the middle, and Mr Pongpat sustained minor injuries in the crash.
It was not clear if Israpoen was wearing any ornament that could draw the lightning bolt.
Mr Pongpat said before the incident the three were riding home in heavy rain on the main Thanon Liap Khlong 5 road, but by the time they were on the local road the rainfall had decreased to showers.
Khlong 5 police investigator Pol Maj Somboon Khobkokekruad said there had been heavy rain and thunderstorms in the area about an hour before the incident.