Facts about lightning strikes in Australia

THE FACTS ABOUT LIGHTNING STRIKES

* Five people died from strikes in Australia last year with 11 killed in the past five years

* A large majority of people struck by lightning survive but it can cause permanent disabilities

* Permanent injuries include loss of balance, headaches, memory problems and fatigue

* Short term injuries include blindness, paralysis and in severe cases cardiac arrest

* Victims do not carry a charge and can be given first aid

* It can strike the same place twice and often does

* Strikes can happen as far as 16km from a storm

* Lightning can contain 100 million to 1 billion volts

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)