Mother, 2 kids struck by lightning at Luneta

Sometimes, tragedy can come in a flash.

A mother and her two kids were seriously hurt after being hit by lightning while taking shelter from the sudden downpour at the Rizal Park in Manila yesterday afternoon.

Authorities said the two kids were unconscious as of press time. The mother, although conscious, was still in shock.

Investigator SPO3 Ricardo Magbanua found a Philippine passport inside the bag belonging to the victims bearing the name of Donalyn Manguerra, 26, of Tarlac, Tarlac. The passport was issued last August.

The three were hit by lightning at around 2:15 p.m. near the Chinese Garden at Phase 3 of Luneta.

Witnesses said the victims were seeking shelter from the rain under a trimmed Indian tree when lightning suddenly struck them.

Following the flash of lightning, students from the AMA computer school who were at the park for a project, saw smoke rising from the tree as well as from the umbrella belonging to the victims.

When they checked the area, the students saw the three victims lying on the ground with burns all over their bodies.

"Nakita na lang po namin na may usok, tapos nakahandusay na yung tatlo," an AMA student said.

The students immediately called the attention of the park guards. The victims were rushed to the hospital aboard the service vehicle of the National Park Development Commission.

Dr. Patricia Villarosa, emergency officer of the Manila Doctors Hospital, said the two children had the more serious injuries.