Lightning victim in critical condition

A 16-year-old boy who suffered a heart attack when he was hit by lightning remained in a critical but stable condition in hospital today, said police.

West Midlands Police confirmed that there had been no change in the teenager's status at Heartlands Hospital since last night.

He was with five other teenagers when he was struck in Small Heath Park, Birmingham, at about 4.50pm yesterday.

It is understood three of the other youths were kept in hospital under observation.

Yesterday, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "Crews arrived at the park to find a teenage boy receiving CPR from a member of the public.

"The 16-year-old boy suffered serious burns after being struck by lightning and was in cardiac arrest.

"Crews continued emergency medical treatment on the boy and transferred him by land ambulance to Heartlands Hospital."

A second teenage boy suffered convulsions consistent with an electric shock and was treated at the scene before he was also taken to Heartlands Hospital.

The spokeswoman said the other four victims suffered minor injuries and were assessed on scene before three were taken to City Hospital and one to Heartlands Hospital.