Man, teenagers struck by lightning as storm sweeps across Perth
Sydney Morning Herald
by Holly Thompson, Hannah MurphyFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A severe storm swept across Perth, causing rare and dangerous lightning strikes that hospitalized three individuals. Two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, were indirectly struck by lightning near their school in Mount Helena, while a man in his 70s was hit while walking his dog on Felstead Street in Hamersley. Paramedics from St John Ambulance’s special operations team responded to the incidents, which are described as “incredibly rare” for Western Australia.
The teenagers were treated and taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital and Midland Hospital, where they are recovering well, though one girl is experiencing some pain. The elderly man sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was also hospitalized. Special operations manager Dean Coxall shared that such incidents are uncommon in the region, with only about 24,000 lightning-related deaths globally each year. He emphasized the dangers of lightning strikes, including cardiac issues, brain damage, and burns.
The storm disrupted daily life across Perth, delaying trains and causing cancellations on the Mandurah line. Passengers faced lengthy commutes as replacement buses struggled to maintain schedules. Additionally, eight flights departing from Perth Airport were delayed due to thunderstorm conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology reported heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms caused by a deepening west coast trough.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of severe weather events and the importance of safety measures during storms. While lightning strikes are rare in Western Australia, they serve as a reminder of their potential danger and the need for awareness during extreme weather conditions.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/26/2026