Photo Gallery Lightning Strike Survivors
A lightning bolt: Nine out of 10 people struck by lightning survive. But they face immense difficulties, including physical pain and a lack of recognition.
When lightning kills it is usually because the hearbeat, which is controlled by electrical impulses, comes to a standstill. There are between 50 and 100 fatalities in the United States each year, and between three and seven in Germany.
Usually those struck by lightning survive, like when three girls playing football in the German town of Wenden were struck by lightning in June 2007.
But the survivors are often left with memory loss, inexplicable pains and other physical problems.
Many survivors struggle for recognition and can feel isolated. The lighting survivors organization helps people to overcome their trauma. Founder Steve Marshburn says he has talked 17 lightning victims out of suicide so far.
