German tourist struck by lightning in WA has no brain function

A German backpacker who was struck by lightning in rural Western Australia last week is being kept alive until her organs can be harvested.

Stefanie Wiedenroth was working for a sheep crutching contractor near Bruce Rock, in the Eastern Wheatbelt region, when she was hit on Friday morning.

Ms Wiedenroth, who was aged in her early 20s, is currently at Royal Perth Hospital but does not have brain function.

It is understood her family, who flew from Germany to Perth on the weekend, will keep life support switched on until her organs can be harvested.

Four other people standing close to Ms Wiedenroth when the lightning hit were also reportedly thrown to the ground but were not seriously injured.

WorkSafe is conducting an investigation.