Bystander CPR and shelter defibrillator save woman struck by lightning in Poland's Izera Mountains
A 38-year-old tourist went into cardiac arrest after being hit by lightning near a mountain shelter in Lower Silesia, but quick action by witnesses using an AED defibrillator revived her before rescuers arrived.
Incident near Orle shelter
At around 1:40 PM on Saturday, June 20, a 38-year-old female tourist was hit by lightning while hiking near the Orle mountain shelter in the Izera Mountains (Góry Izerskie), Lower Silesia. The area was under severe thunderstorm warnings as a heat wave fuelled dangerous weather across western Poland.
Life-saving bystander action
Witnesses immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after the woman went into sudden cardiac arrest. Rescuers from the Karkonosze Mountain Volunteer Rescue Service (GOPR) arrived and took over advanced life support, using an automated external defibrillator (AED) accessible at the shelter.
We want to highlight the wonderful attitude of tourists and witnesses. Their immediate reaction and knowledge saved a human life. We are also extremely pleased that rescue equipment available in shelters, including an AED defibrillator, was used without hesitation.
Hospitalisation and stable condition
Emergency medical teams from Szklarska Poręba transported the woman to the Provincial Hospital Centre of the Jelenia Góra Valley for further diagnosis. As of Sunday, she remained in stable condition. Only about 10 percent of lightning strike victims die, with cardiac arrest being the main cause of fatality, according to Poland’s Rescue Centre.
Storm warnings across the region
The incident came as a line of violent thunderstorms swept across Dolny Śląsk, bringing heavy rain, hail and strong winds. The Institute of Meteorology issued SMS alerts not only for Lower Silesia but also for Greater Poland, West Pomeranian and Pomeranian provinces, prompting multiple dangerous situations throughout the weekend.
