Lightning kills 2, injures 2 more

By Celso Amo LEGAZPI CITY --- A lightning strike killed two persons and injured two others Sunday (June 3) afternoon in Barangay San Andres in Sto. Domingo, Albay. Ryan Balute was hit by a lightning whose deadly current creeped through an electric wire inside a house in Barangay San Andres at about 4:15 p.m. Sunday and through another house where his auntie Editha Balute was also electrocuted by the deadly lightning, according to Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol PNP spokesperson. A younger brother of Ryan and a live-in partner of Editha were also injured. Probers said Ryan was charging his cell phone while there was on-and-off supply of electricity in the area when lightning struck. Ryan and Editha were brought to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital here but doctors at the emergency room declared Ryan dead on arrival due to third degree burns. Editha also succumbed to death Monday morning while under treatment for severe burns. Authorities warn consumers to switch off their cell phones during thunderstorm because cell phones can attract lightning strike which carries an electric current of 30,000 amperes.