SHOCKING DEATH: Woman Zapped By Lightning While Riding On Back Of Motorbike

A woman has died after she was hit by lightning while riding on the back of a motorbike while transporting cooking pots and pans.

Marcia Pires Santana Alves, 46, poses in undated photo. She died after being struck by lightning while riding a motorcycle with her brother-in-law carrying pans on a highway in Sao Miguel do Araguaia, Brazil, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (Newsflash)

The incident took place on the GO-164 highway near the city of Sao Miguel do Araguaia, in Goias state, in central-western Brazil, on the afternoon of Thursday, 8th November.

The victim has been named as Marcia Pires Santana Alves, 46, and she was riding pillion on the motorbike, which was being driven by her brother-in-law, who has not been named.

He reportedly survived with minor injuries but she sadly passed away, with a photograph showing burn marks on her helmet that were caused by the lightning.

The photograph also shows the metal pots and pans that the pair had been transporting on the motorbike.

The Brazilian military police said that they were called to the scene by passers-by and that the pair had been on their way to Araguacu, in Tocantins, where they lived.

One of the soldiers, who has not been named, said: “She had burns on her breasts and also on her head. The pilot had injuries only to the face and was confused. The two passed out on the highway.”

Picture shows the helmets the victims had on and pans they carried, undated photo. Marcia Pires Santana Alves, 46, died after being struck by lightning while riding a motorcycle with her brother-in-law carrying pans on a highway in Sao Miguel do Araguaia, Brazil, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (Newsflash)

Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment but Marcia sadly succumbed to her injuries.

Despite the pair transporting the metal objects, it is not thought that these played a part in causing them to be hit by the lightning bolt.

It is a common myth that metal attracts lightning, according to the United States National Weather Service saying on its website: “Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike.

“The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes. Mountains are made of stone but get struck by lightning many times a year. When lightning threatens, take proper protective action immediately by seeking a safe shelter, don’t waste time removing metal. While metal does not attract lightning, it does conduct it so stay away from metal fences, railing, bleachers, etc.”