Lightning strike: Lucky escape for lifeguard
This afternoon’s wild weather in Ballina almost had disastrous consequnces for lifeguard communcations officer Brett Lewis.
North Coast lifeguard co-ordinator Stephen Leahy reports that lightning struck the SurfCom Communication Centre at Lighthouse Beach shortly before 4pm this afternoon.
Mr Lewis, aged 26, was answering a phone call on the emergency line when lightning hit the building.
“Brett was thrown across the room, hitting a wall and knocking him unconscious for approximately five minutes before being found by his lifeguard colleagues,” Mr Leahy said.
“He was stabilised by lifeguards before the arrival of the ambulance and was transported to Ballina Hospital in a stable condition.”
The incident came after lifeguards arrived at work this morning to find their communications system had been vandalised for the third time in the past six months. It is believed the vandals were targeting the camera which beams pictures of the surf at Lighthouse Beach on to the internet.
It also followed another incident this afernoon when lifeguards based at the SurfCom Communication Centre were called onto the beach after a 16-year-old schoolboy was injured during a game of beach football. As a precautionary measure, he was treated for possible spinal and neck injuries and was taken to Ballina Base Hospital for further treatment.
Wild weather along the coast, particularly this afternoon, saw beaches being closed. Here’s what happened on lifeguard patrolled beaches in Ballina Shire today:
Lennox Head: The beach was closed about 3.30 due to a thunderstorm passing through the Ballina region. Despite the conditions a number of people ventured into the water and 35 swimmers were warned about the dangerous conditions.
Shelly Beach, Ballina: The beach was also closed mid-afternoon due to the storm but not before 12 people were cautioned about swimming in rips.
Tomorrow’s Forecast: Isolated showers and thunderstorms, chiefly in the afternoon. Humid with light to moderate north-west to north-east winds, freshening about the coast.
Today’s Water Safety Tip: Lifeguards will close beaches during thunderstorms due to the high chance of lightning strikes hitting the beach or the water. They will remain closed for at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed. It is important not to enter the water while the beach is closed and seek shelter in a ‘hard-top’ vehicle or building.
