Lightning kills doctor talking on cell phone
A SURGEON at Kagondo Mission hospital in Muleba district, Dr Deogratias Magoti (52), died on the spot last weekend after he was allegedly struck by lightning while talking on his mobile phone handset in apparent stormy weather.
MEDDY MULISA in Bukoba
A SURGEON at Kagondo Mission hospital in Muleba district, Dr Deogratias Magoti (52), died on the spot last weekend after he was allegedly struck by lightning while talking on his mobile phone handset in apparent stormy weather.
According to Dr Felix Rugabandana from Kagondo hospital, the late Dr Magoti died of cardiac arrest.
An eye witness, Nicolaus Bambaga(29) said Dr Magoti had been standing nearby but he fell down and died instantly after a lightning flash. He said Dr Magoti was seen talking on his mobile phone a few minutes before.
Dr Rugabandana said the body of the late Dr Magoti was transported to his home village in Mara Region and was laid to rest last Monday.
He had joined Kagondo hospital, built by the White Fathers Order of Roman Catholic priests in 1912 only six months ago. He is survived by a widow and four children.
Kagera Regional Police Commander, Abdallah Mssika, confirmed the incident adding that police were investigating.
At least doctors in the UK have warned of the danger of lightning strikes when using mobile phones outdoors during stormy weather.
In a June 2006 report in the British Medical Journal, doctors highlighted the case of a 15-year girl left with severe injuries after being struck by lightning while talking on her phone in a London park.
She had no recollection of the incident but suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated. Other cases of people being hit and killed by lightning while talking on a mobile phone in stormy weather have been recorded in China, Korea and Malaysia.
British meteorological officials have also warned that it may be dangerous to carry a mobile phone in your pocket during a storm.
It is well known within the thunderstorm detection community that wearing or carrying metallic objects can increase the likelihood of injury. It certainly adds to the intensity of the skin damage and the article certainly amplifies that here. I would treat a mobile phone as yet another piece of metal that people tend to carry on their persons like coins and rings, said Met official, Paul Taylor.
Other warnings have revolved around the dangers of cell phones igniting petroleum fumes at filling stations, fuel storage sites, chemical refineries and nuclear reactors. People have allegedly been left with severe burns when phones caused fires to flare up.
Source: Daily News
