Crime & Courts

Lightning strike kills 31-year-old man in Sungai Petani

SUNGAI PETANI: A 31-year-old crane operator died after being struck by lightning while relaxing on a hammock near his home in Kampung Baru Pulau Tiga, here, yesterday.

Mohammad Shahrim Sheh Ali died while being rushed to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital for treatment.

Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said investigations found no element of foul play in the incident.

"The victim's wife noticed her husband was unconscious on the hammock in front of their home at around 10pm.

She, along with the victim's brother and friend, initially thought he was asleep and did not wake him.

"When she later tried to wake him up, she found that he was unresponsive and unconscious. The family rushed him to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani, but doctors confirmed that he had died during the journey.

"The wife reported that the deceased was in good health. Investigations found no record of chronic illness, and examination of the body showed no signs of criminal elements," he said in a statement today.

Wan Azharuddin said the incident occurred at approximately 9.45pm during heavy rain and lightning.

"An investigation at the scene found burn marks on the wood used to hang the hammock and a broken electrical wire," he added.

He also said that a post-mortem examination at HSAH confirmed that there were burn marks on the deceased, caused by a lightning strike.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories