British man, 26, dies in Greece after being ‘struck by lightning whereas paddleboarding’

A British man has died after he was reportedly hit by lightning whereas paddleboarding in Greece.

The unnamed 26-year-old was within the sea throughout a thunderstorm in Agia Agathi, Rhodes, as his girlfriend filmed him from the seashore, in line with native media.

Some stories mentioned he had been swimming on the time, moderately than paddleboarding.

An investigation is now below manner into the incident, which is believed to have occurred shortly earlier than 2pm on Monday native time (12pm UK time).

Greek newspaper Rodiaki reported that lightning struck the water close to the paddleboarder, inflicting him to fall within the sea injured.

The newspaper mentioned a passer-by, named as a Brazilian footballer who performs for an area facet, waded into the ocean to drag the person again to shore.

Medics then took him to a close-by hospital earlier than he was declared useless, the publication added.

The Port Authority of Rhodes confirmed the person’s age and that he was a British nationwide however would give no additional data.

A spokesperson mentioned: “This is an active case so we cannot give more details at the moment.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office mentioned: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Rhodes and are in contact with local authorities.”

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According to the swimming web site oceanswims.com, when lightning strikes water the electrical cost would not penetrate deep into the water, however moderately, it spreads throughout the floor, dispersing horizontally.

“This electric charge can travel as little as 10m or as much as 100m or more, depending on the power of the lightning bolt itself,” it added.

“From a swimmers’ point of view, this means the bolt of lightning doesn’t have to hit you directly for it to cause harm.”