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09 April 2012 | Last updated at 02:13AM15 teens hit by lightning
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LUCKY TO BE ALIVE: Students were among 600 at training camp during thunderstorm.
Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam visiting the students at the emergency ward in Malacca Hospital yesterday. Pic by Mohd Khairul Helmy Mohd Din
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Fifteen students from SMK St Francis here suffered injuries after they were struck by lightning during a thunderstorm yesterday.
The boys, aged between 14 and 17, were taking part in a week-long training camp, organised by the Malaysian United Cadets Association, at Pengkalan Badak, Bukit Katil, near here, when the incident occurred at 5.30pm.
The boys, along with 580 other students from 17 secondary schools in Malacca, were on the first day of training and were given a break to return to their respective tents.
When the storm got worse, they ran out of their tents to take shelter at the main tent but were hit by lightning.
Those affected complained of numbness, erratic heartbeat and breathing difficulties, and were taken to the Malacca Hospital.
While 14 boys were allowed to return home, one was warded for observation after he complained of chest pains.
When met at the hospital, one of the students' mother, Muliati Abdullah, 41, from Bandar Hilir, said her son, Mohd Danish Azilan, 14, was in stable condition.
"I almost fainted when I got the call about my son at 7pm. I am so relieved when I saw that he is all right.
"He initially felt some numbness and could not breathe but he is slowly feeling better now."
Mohd Faisal Othman, 15, from Bachang near here, said he did not know what had hit him at first.
"Today was the our first day at camp but we were sent back to our tents when it started raining. Suddenly, I heard a loud clap of thunder and saw a tree go down.
"The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back."
Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who had earlier visited the site, rushed to the hospital to check on the students.
"I'm relieved that the boys had not suffered serious injuries and are now in stable condition.
"I would also like to praise the organisers of the camp for their quick action in taking them to the hospital and contacting the victims' parents."
It is learnt the training camp will continue as planned.
Read more: 15 teens hit by lightning - General - New Straits Times Link
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