Struck by three bolts of lightning during an excursion: fear for an Oristanese

Struck by lightning while hiking.

Bad accident for a 61-year-old from Oristano and a 64-year-old from Reggio Emilia : the two were traveling a via ferrata on the Tofane, above Cortina, when they were surprised by a storm complete with hailstorm.

Suddenly, while still hanging on to the cable, they were hit by three bolts of lightning that sent them flying to the ground. Paralyzed by the electricity and in shock, they remained motionless, unable to call for help.

However, a foreign tourist saw them, and with no small effort managed to find camp and call for help. Recovered by the Alpine Rescue technicians, with the Suem helicopter of Piave di Cadore, and taken to the pitch at the Dibona Refuge, the two injured were stabilized by the medical team and then transported by air ambulance to the Belluno hospital.

Both suffered burns and electrocution damage but fortunately their lives are not in danger.

(Unioneonline/D)