A soldier was seriously injured after being struck by lightning while standing next to a helicopter.
Shocking footage shows him suddenly collapsing flat onto his back like a plank before twitching on the grass.
The drama unfolded at a military base in Popayán, Colombia, at around 3:45pm on Sunday (15 Feb).
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A powerful thunderstorm was sweeping through the area at the time, according to local media, with the region currently in the middle of its rainy season.
The serviceman had been carrying out sentry and perimeter security duties for a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter when the bolt hit.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was rushed to hospital in Popayán, as reported by Need To Know.
Authorities said he “received immediate medical attention and is currently stable and recovering”.
He remained under observation in hospital as of the latest update on Monday (16 Feb).
A preliminary inspection found the lightning strike had also hit the aircraft, causing critical damage to the tail rotor.
The military said it “remains out of operation while the corresponding technical assessment is carried out”.
Experts will now determine whether any of the helicopter’s electronic systems were compromised.
“The incident was solely due to adverse weather conditions and is not related to armed activity in the region,” military sources said.
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