HSA3900 4 HHH 358 PA 1 POLICE Climber Substitute LIGHTNING STRIKE CLIMBER NAMED By Jude Sheerin, Scottish Press Association A climber who died after being struck by lightning near a mountain summit was today named by police. Derek Hunter, 40, was hit as he neared the 3,500ft peak of Ben Oss, near Tyndrum, Stirlingshire, at around 7pm yesterday. His companion called for help by mobile phone and Mr Hunter, of Kelty, Fife was airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter scrambled from Prestwick but died en route to hospital. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) said up to five people died every year in the UK after being struck by lightning. Spokesman Roger Vincent advised anyone outdoors during a storm to avoid swimming and keep away from wide open spaces, isolated trees, aerials or masts. Trees in particular should be avoided as they ''literally explode'' when struck and the flying bark can ''injure like shrapnel'', he said. Anyone caught in a storm should shelter in a brick building or in their car as the tyres will provide insulation if the vehicle is struck, he advised. Mr Vincent also warned against carrying long or metal objects which can attract strikes, such as golf clubs, umbrellas, fishing rods, or climber's pickaxes. Large parties of people should not crowd together as multiple deaths have been recorded from lightning currents jumping between bodies. He added: ''If you are close to rocks, metal fences or buildings and they start to emit a buzzing sound and or your hair starts to stand on end, move away from them quickly as a strike may be imminent. ''If your clothes are wet you are less likely to be injured as the charge passes right through them rather than you. He stressed: ''But the best advice is that if bad weather is forecast, consider delaying your walk and stay in by the fire.'' Mr Hunter's death came after parts of the country were swept by thunder storms over Monday afternoon and evening. A spokesman for PA WeatherCentre said: ''There's a risk of a few showers around Scotland today and possibly the odd rumble of thunder, but nowhere near the storms we had yesterday.'' end 111040 MAY 04

Difficult one, a friend was hit in the States taking shelter on a ledge, he made it but his partner didn't. Closest I've come was seeing a storm approaching & hightailing it back to the 'frique station before we got onto the route. When the cable wheel above us took a hit it was mildly frightening. Lots of pushing away of metal stuff, before realising ther was so much metal higher in the building that we were unlikely to be affected, & anyway, lightening doesn't stike twice....

Apparently hiding under a cave/overhang is not good unless you have about 5m of clearance above you. the current can leap through short distances and still get you. The safest place to be is about 10m out from the base of a cliff, with all your metal gear well away from you. A bit counter-intuitive though.

Small overhangs/ shallow caves are not a good idea, partic if there is some line of weakness above them, with water running down it in a storm. The lightning will arc straight across the cave mouth thru anyone sheltering there. V big overhang/ deep cave obviously would be good. I've always been told that unless you have a good, deep shelter you are better off out in the open, because there are usually more likely targets (e.g. isolated trees) for lightning to strike than yourself. I think I've heard that lying down on the ground helps a bit too.