Inquest Hears Lightning Killed Teenage Boy

An inquest has heard how a 14-year-old boy was killed by a bolt of lightning while crossing a green near his home in Dublin.

Patrick 'Paddy' Ryan, 14, of Kilclare Crescent, Tallaght, was walking across a green during a thunder and lightning storm on the afternoon of April 12 last year, when he was struck down in a "freak" and "very tragic" accident, Dublin County Coroner's Court heard.

The incident was witnessed by a Nicole Douglas, 13, of Dromcarra, Tallaght, who was sitting upstairs on her bed watching the storm at the time.

According to reports, a statement by the girls mother, which was read out in court said that Nicole had saw "a fellow walking across the green," followed by an "orange flash "where he was walking".

When she looked again she saw the "fellow on the ground."

Although Nicole was deemed too young to give evidence in court, the inquest heard both of the girls parents ran out of the house and attempted to administer CPR to the boy, but his tongue, face and stomach were turning purple and there were no signs of life.

Patrick Ryan was rushed to Tallaght Hospital where he was treated in the intensive care unit but his injuries proved too severe and he was pronounced dead at 3am on April 13.

The post-mortem report revealed the boy had extensive burns on his body and, and the cause of death had been a brain injury due to heart muscle damage and cardiac arrhythmia caused by electrocution from the lightning strike.

A jury of eight men and four women returned a verdict of accidental death under the direction of the Coroner, Dr Kieran Geraghty.

In reports today, the teenager's parents, Jerry Corr and Ann Ryan, who were visibly upset speaking outside the court said they wanted to thank everyone for all their help following the tragedy.

See: Dublin Lightning Stike Fatal

(DW)