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Brecon Beacons lightning strike victim showing signs of recovery Brecon Beacons lightning strike victim showing signs of recovery
(about 5 hours later)
A walker seriously injured in a mountain-top lightning strike which killed two others is showing signs of improvement, police have said.A walker seriously injured in a mountain-top lightning strike which killed two others is showing signs of improvement, police have said.
A major rescue operation was mounted on Sunday following two strikes which hit the Brecon Beacons, south Wales. Two men died, while two others were taken to hospital.A major rescue operation was mounted on Sunday following two strikes which hit the Brecon Beacons, south Wales. Two men died, while two others were taken to hospital.
Dyfed Powys police said on Monday that it was investigating the circumstances of the incident. Dyfed-Powys police said on Monday that it was investigating the circumstances of the incident.
A police spokeswoman said: “A man in a serious condition in hospital, following simultaneous incidents in the Brecon Beacons, has now improved and he is recovering. Officers are continuing to liaise with the next of kin of the deceased men and enquiries are ongoing. All four men involved were believed to be from England. HM Coroner has been informed.”A police spokeswoman said: “A man in a serious condition in hospital, following simultaneous incidents in the Brecon Beacons, has now improved and he is recovering. Officers are continuing to liaise with the next of kin of the deceased men and enquiries are ongoing. All four men involved were believed to be from England. HM Coroner has been informed.”
Mark Jones, of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, described the lightning strike as a freak accident, and something he had not been called out to in 30 years of service.Mark Jones, of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, described the lightning strike as a freak accident, and something he had not been called out to in 30 years of service.
He said it was fortunate that a doctor was able to reach one of those injured on Corn Du within about 25 minutes, as his team was already out on the slopes on a training exercise.He said it was fortunate that a doctor was able to reach one of those injured on Corn Du within about 25 minutes, as his team was already out on the slopes on a training exercise.
The walking group Ramblers Cymru said that while incidents involving thunder and lightning were rare, electrical storms should be taken seriously by walkers.The walking group Ramblers Cymru said that while incidents involving thunder and lightning were rare, electrical storms should be taken seriously by walkers.
The organisation’s delivery officer, Elly Hannigan Popp, said: “We’d advise everyone to check the weather forecast before starting a walk, and if you do find yourself in a thunder and lightning storm, try to follow some safety tips.The organisation’s delivery officer, Elly Hannigan Popp, said: “We’d advise everyone to check the weather forecast before starting a walk, and if you do find yourself in a thunder and lightning storm, try to follow some safety tips.
“If you hear thunder, see lightning or if your hair stands on end, postpone activities even if the sky looks blue and clear. Lightning will strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Lightning can strike the same place repeatedly – especially tall, pointed, isolated objects – so avoid being the tallest point.“If you hear thunder, see lightning or if your hair stands on end, postpone activities even if the sky looks blue and clear. Lightning will strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Lightning can strike the same place repeatedly – especially tall, pointed, isolated objects – so avoid being the tallest point.
“If there is no shelter you should keep moving. And if you become the tallest object, crouch in the open twice as far away from the nearest pointed object as it is tall.“If there is no shelter you should keep moving. And if you become the tallest object, crouch in the open twice as far away from the nearest pointed object as it is tall.
“Make yourself as small as possible, stay on your toes and keep your heels together as it will allow electricity to go up one foot, through the heels and back into the ground through the other.” “Make yourself as small as possible, stay on your toes and keep your heels together, as it will allow electricity to go up one foot, through the heels and back into the ground through the other.”