A 14-YEAR OLD Junior High School (JHS) student of Papao Community Presbyterian JHS located at Kwabenya in the Ga East Municipal Assembly, was on Wednesday afternoon, struck dead by lightning during a heavy downpour.
The student identified as Hopeson Kuampah was said to be running with one of his classmates towards their classroom when the unfortunate incident occurred.
An eye witness account has indicated that the incident occurred during their lunch break around 1pm on Wednesday.
He said at the time of the rain, the children were on break so some of them ran for shelter in their various classrooms.
The deceased person was said to be in the company of Edna Addo, one of his classmates and after finishing their lunch, decided to run through the rain back to their classroom.
“While running to the classroom, a flash of lightning suddenly struck the two students and they fell onto the ground.”
The witness said Edna Addo was not hurt but Hopeson Kuampah was seen lying in a supine position with burns on parts of his body.
With the help of the school authorities and teachers, the victim was rushed to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Hospital for treatment but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The body has since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue for preservation.
Meanwhile, the Kwabenyah police have started investigations into the matter.
The Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP) Effia Tenge, when contacted said, the police received the unfortunate news from the school authorities and have since commenced investigations into the matter.
She said the body was yet to be moved from the 37 Military Hospital morgue to the Police Hospital morgue for autopsy to be conducted.
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey