Lightning strike kills construction worker while biking for home

A construction worker in Taytay, Rizal was killed in a lightning strike while biking to get home, Jun Veneracion reported on “24 Oras."

Identified as JR Urcia, the victim was riding his bike amidst the heavy rains Tuesday when the lightning struck. He was less than a kilometer away from his house.

The incident was witnessed by his colleague Antonio Cano who said that they rode their bikes and were rushing to get home after work when the tragedy happened.

“Siguro kung isang dipa lang ang agwat namin, sapul talaga ako. Kasi malayo-layo eh. Mga tatlong dipa ata. Inabot pa nga ako eh. Tumalsik ako sa lakas ng impact,” he said.

(Maybe if our distance is only one meter, I would be struck too. But I was at least three meters away from him. I was thrown away because of the impact.)

Urcia’s family is in grief because of his sudden death. His partner, Arjay Pepito said she does not know how she will raise their two kids aged 1 and 4.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, laban. Laban ka kasi inaantay ka ng mga anak mo,” said Pepito.

(I told him to fight because his children are waiting for him.)

“Ang liliit pa ng anak namin. Magbi-birthday pa po ito sa November 1. Mag-aaral pa po ‘yan… hindi po namin alam paano na,” she said.

(Our children are still young. One will even celebrate her birthday on November 1, the other will study. We don’t know what’s going to happen now.)

The incident occurred hours after PAGASA issued a thunderstorm advisory over Metro Manila and its nearby provinces including Rizal.

As preventive measures, the state weather bureau advised the public to immediately take shelter if caught by thunderstorms. It also warned against using mobile phones, getting exposed to metals, and hiding under trees during lightning incidents.

“Mas malaki ang tsansa na tatamaan tayo ng kidlat pag nasa open area tayo kumpara kung nakasilong tayo,” PAGASA meteorologist Chris Perez said.

(There’s a bigger chance that a person will be struck by lightning in an open area unlike when we seek cover.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News