TEENAGER Sophie Frost survived a devastating lightning strike — after the bolt was diverted by her iPod. Sophie, 14, was sheltering beneath a tree in a storm with the player round her neck when the 300,000-volt surge hit her.
But she escaped with minor burns and singed hair as the bolt zipped through the headphone wire hanging from her school uniform, scorching her clothes but missing all her vital organs.
Sophie was rushed to a specialist burns unit, but doctors are confident she will make a full recovery — and say she may not even have a SCAR. elieved Sophie said last night: “I don’t remember a thing about what happened, but from what everyone tells me it’s a miracle I’m still here.
“Everybody’s said the iPod must have diverted the lightning away from my body, which probably saved my life. I’ve got a few burns, but it’s all healing OK.”
Sophie, of Southend, Essex, was holding hands with boyfriend Mason Billington, 14, when the lightning struck them in Rayleigh. Both were knocked unconscious and Mason suffered eye damage, although it is hoped this will not be permanent.
Sophie’s mum Julie said: “I just thank God my daughter is still alive.“The doctors say her iPod saved her. Her nan only bought it a few days ago. Luckily, she wasn’t actually wearing the headphones. If she had been, she might not be here today.
“Mind you, the only thing Sophie seemed worried about was that her new iPod was frazzled.”
Look at the dress she wore when she was striked
