Citation

Andrews CJ, Darveniza M. J. Trauma 1989; 29(5): 665-671.

Affiliation

Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2724384

Abstract

Each year in Australia, about 60 people report injuries attributable to lightning surges while using a telephone during nearby thunderstorms. This paper presents information about such incidents and describes a retrospective survey of more than 300 telephone users reporting injuries possibly attributable to lightning. Questionnaires yielded 132 usable responses, and the results were analysed to identify the extent and nature of the lightning injuries. These are compared with direct strike injuries. Three distinct telephone-mediated lightning strike syndromes are identified (statistically) among the victims.