Woman dies after being struck by lightning while hiking in Scotland

Ellen Manning
Lightning bolt striking from a sunset storm near Benson, Arizona.
A woman has been killed after she was struck by lightning while walking in Scotland (Picture: Getty)

A woman has been killed after she was struck by lightning while hiking in Scotland.

The 55-year-old, who has not been named, was hiking near Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands on Saturday evening when she and another member of her walking group were hit by lightning.

Coastguard and ambulance service helicopters and the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team found the group on Na Gruagaichean, a mountain about five miles south of Ben Nevis.

Both injured walkers were airlifted to hospital in Fort William, Police Scotland said, but one died from her injuries.

The other walker is in a stable condition.

Valley view below the mountains of Glencoe, Lochaber, HIghlands, Scotland, UK
The woman and another member of her walking group were hit by lightning in Glencoe, Scotland (Picture: Getty)

A statement from Police Scotland said: "At 5.42pm on Saturday June 8, Police Scotland were alerted to an incident where two members of a walking group comprising seven people had been struck by lightning and injured.

"The party were traced on Na Gruagaichean in the Mamore Range near Kinlochleven.

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"Two casualties and the rest of their party were airlifted to Fort William. Sadly, a woman aged 55 years died as a result of her injuries.

"Another woman was taken by ambulance to Belford Hospital in Fort William where her condition is stable.

"The next of kin of the woman who died have been advised and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."