Police give thunderstorm safety advice after tragic death of Jordan Banks

Nine-year-old Jordan was taking part in a one to one football training session on the Common Edge playing fields in Blackpool when he was reportedly hit by lightning at around 5.05pm on May 11, the Blackpool Gazette has reported.

Police ambulance and air ambulance services were called following the freak accident, which happened during a sudden thunderstorm that was not forecast by the Met Office.

Jordan was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he later died.

The safety advice issued by police is:

1. When you hear thunder, take shelter. A strike can travel 50 miles outside of its parent cloud. So if you hear a rumble, take cover if you are outside. A car is the best place as it is a faradays cage, But get indoors!

2. Never ever take shelter under a tree! A tree is taller and if it is struck , it will splinter, loose branches and there are many examples of trees exploding in all directions!

3 . If you are out in the open , either get to a safe place as fast as you can, or tuck down. Discard any metal such as belt buckles, watches, mobile phones, put your feet firmly on the floor, crouch, head between your knees, bum slightly raised.

There is evidence to suggest you are more likely to survive a strike if you’re soaked through from the rain as the current will choose the wet clothes to travel through to the ground.

4. Put down you golf clubs and fishing poles!

6 . Stay away from plumbing. Lightning can travel through the water and copper pipes. There are accounts of people being killed doing the washing up, taking a bath or shower.

7 . Unplug and device attached to a phone line and stay away from the electrics in your house. If the house is struck, or a tv aerial, the current with move through your wiring!

8. Stay away from metal windows and windows with internal metal frames such as UPVC.

9 . Never use an umbrella as it can act as a lightning conductor.