Czech woman struck by lightning in Austrian Alps, airlifted to hospital

A 28-year-old Czech woman suffered serious injuries after being struck by lightning while hiking in the Austrian Alps. She was airlifted to hospital, police in the province of Styria said on Sunday.

The woman had set out on Saturday with her partner for Mount Admonter Kalbling and was continuing towards the Kreuzkogel peak when they were caught in a sudden storm. Lightning struck nearby, and the blast threw the woman to the ground, briefly knocking her unconscious.

Her partner called mountain rescue services. Because of the bad weather, some rescuers reached the area by helicopter while others arrived on foot. Both hikers were later flown to hospital in Rottenmann, where they remain under treatment.