Lightning kills student

A fourth year high school student died when she was hit by lightning while texting outside the classroom in Muntinlupa City the other day.

Gelene Vitto, 15, and classmate Vanessa Beron had sought cover from the rain under a narra tree at the grounds of Muntinlupa National High School at around 12:45 p.m.

While waiting for the rain to stop, they started texting messages on their cell phones.

Lightning then hit Vitto on the left side of her body.

Editha Valdez, assistant to the school principal, said it was the principal’s secretary, Maribeth Pula, who noticed two students under the tree.

Through her office window, she saw the two girls, one of whom seemed unconscious.

Pula called a guard to check on the two girls. They were then taken to a nearby hospital.

Vitto was dead on arrival at the hospital while Beron, who suffered shock and trauma, has been released from the Muntinlupa Medical Center.

Valdez denied reports that classes at the school were being held under the trees because of the lack of classrooms.

"We have enough classrooms. The victim was outside because the class had been dismissed. She was about to go home," she said.

School officials said they would be helping the victim’s family.

"We are also set to send Mayor Jaime Fresnedi a letter to ask for additional financial assistance that can be of help to the grieving family," Valdez said.

Fresnedi said he would help cover the burial expenses.