Woman, 64, dies when lightning strikes in S. Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY – A 64-year-old woman died after lightning struck at the height of
heavy rain in Norala, South Cotabato, officials said.

Popoy Kale
said he and his mother Diday was inside the house in Purok Tuburan, Barangay
San Miguel, Norala when when thunderstorm accompanied by lightning commenced
about 4 p.m. Monday.

As strong
thunder reverberated, she ran inside her room.
Suddenly, lightning struck.

I smell
something burning inside the room so I ran inside and saw smoke billows up as
she lay down on the floor, gasping for air, Popoy said.

He and other
relatives rushed his mother to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital here
where she was declared dead. (Edwin O. Fernandez)