Two patients were recently admitted and given emergency treatment at Thanh Oai General Hospital ( Hanoi ) after being struck by lightning while planting rice in the field. The incident is a warning about the risk of accidents caused by lightning strikes during the rainy and stormy season in the North.
According to information from Dr. Nguyen Van Nhat, Department of Emergency - Intensive Care and Anti-Poison, Thanh Oai General Hospital, at around 4:30 p.m. on June 30, the department received patients NTC (52 years old) and DVN (53 years old), both residing in Thanh Oai commune. The two patients were struck by lightning while working in the field.
Upon admission, both patients were conscious, as they were affected by the conduction of the lightning and not by a direct strike. However, they experienced numbness and pain along the arm on the side exposed to the lightning.
Doctor Nguyen Van Nhat examines a patient (Photo: Provided by the hospital).
Dr. Nhat said: "As soon as we received the patient, we promptly took emergency measures such as examining the patient's condition, placing an IV, administering oxygen, monitoring vital signs, and arrhythmias via a monitor, explaining and reassuring the patient, and performing an electrocardiogram on the patient...".
After emergency treatment and close monitoring, the patient's vital signs gradually stabilized, his health condition improved positively, and no signs of arrhythmia were recorded.
On the morning of July 1, the results of basic blood tests and brain CT scans showed normal indicators. Both patients are now conscious.
Recalling the terrifying moment, patient DVN shared: “I was planting rice, it was raining but I saw that everyone was still planting so I didn’t go home yet, then suddenly I felt a strong electric current from lightning strike right next to me, I was dizzy and fell down in the field, then I didn’t know anything else.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital and was examined and treated by doctors. Now my health has stabilized and is better."
The NTC patient also recounted in shock: “My husband and I, along with many other people, were planting rice in the field when a thunderstorm broke out. We had not yet taken shelter when we were struck by lightning. I looked over at my husband and he had fallen unconscious.
I shouted for help from people around and they took my husband and I to the hospital. Doctors at Thanh Oai General Hospital provided timely emergency care. My husband and I are now healthy, but I still have symptoms of numbness and pain along my arm, so the doctors are monitoring me further."
From this case, Dr. Nguyen Van Nhat advised people to be extremely careful during the rainy and stormy season. He emphasized limiting going outdoors during thunderstorms and storms.
To avoid lightning strikes when outdoors, especially in open areas such as fields, people should seek shelter immediately when they hear thunder. Absolutely stay away from open areas, large trees, and high-voltage electric poles. Do not take shelter under the eaves of houses or stand in large groups close together.
If you cannot find a safe shelter, stay as low as possible. In particular, absolutely do not use electronic devices during thunderstorms and turn off the power and disconnect electrical devices in the house when there is thunder and lightning.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/vo-chong-o-ha-noi-ke-khoanh-khac-bi-set-danh-trung-20250703065604738.htm
Comment (0)