AKUTNĚ.CZ Lightning strike - Lightning strike

Two hikers go hiking in the Beskydy Mountains in stormy weather, are caught in a thunderstorm with flashes of lightning, and decide to seek shelter under a nearby tree. Moments later, one of the hikers is struck by lightning. As they are approximately 200 m below the top of Lysá hora (1323 above the sea level), the second hiker calls the mountain rescue service (HSČR). Was their decision to hide under the tree correct? By what mechanisms will the lightning act on the tourists?

Help

Lightning strike hits tourists directly, and the most significant risk for tourists is the subsequent heart and respiratory failure, burns of varying degrees, and Lichtenberg patterns as a reaction of the body to lightning.

The lightning strike hits the tourists indirectly and mechanical injury caused by the pressure wave caused by lightning will dominate. Splinters from the tree will cause injuries after the lightning strike. There may be a fall caused by muscle contraction or even by being hit by the pressure wave.

Thanks to the fact that the tourists hid under a tree, they were in no danger.