Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

This is the fisherman killed instantly after being zapped in the chest by a lightning bolt while using his mobile at sea in a storm.

Picture Credits: AsiaWire

The incident took place near the Jimah Power Plant jetty in Bukit Pelanduk located in the western Malaysian coastal city Port Dickson when 39-year-old fisherman R. Kannan ventured out to sea during a thunderstorm.

According to reports, father-of-three Kannan was ferrying power plant workers to the shore when he was struck by lightning.

He was using his mobile phone on the lightning bolt is believed to have struck his chest.

Eyewitnesses said that Kannan died instantly.

His body was taken to the Kampung Sawah Health Centre where police said that he had a burn mark on his chest.

Police spokesperson Faisal Mohd Noor commented: “The victim was pronounced dead after being rushed to the Kampung Sawah Health Centre. An initial examination of the victim’s body revealed burns to his chest.”

He added that the body will undergo an autopsy and that the case has been classified as ‘sudden death’.

According to reports, the metal components in mobile phones increase the chances of being struck by lightning if used outside during a thunderstorm.