Two men critically injured after being hit by lightning on golf course
Two men are in life-threatening condition after being hit by lightning on a golf course in Kanata on Monday.
A spokesperson for Ottawa Paramedics said it happened at 5:48 p.m. on a golf course near Old Carp road.
Two adult males suffered critical injuries and were taken to hospital in life-threatening condition.
CTV News has confirmed it happened at Loch March Golf and Country Club.
"Both sustained critical injuries requiring resuscitation by both paramedics and firefighter," said Ottawa Paramedic service superintendent Marc-Antoine Deschamps. "They were taken to hospital in critical condition and their injuries were life-threatening."
The sudden storm brought heavy downpours, localized flooding and some power outages.
Paramedics say when you hear thunder, seek shelter inside immediately and don't go outside for at least 30 minutes from the time you last hear a rumble.
"Whether it's indoors or in a closed vehicle, that part is really important because golf carts, tractors, motorcycles, they don't provide any type of protection against lightning because it's not the tires as a lot of people believe that protect you from the lightning but the fact that you're inside," Deschamps said.
In addition, he said, avoid open spaces and open shelters like gazebos. If you see someone get struck by lightning, call 9-1-1 and start CPR if they're not breathing.
"You will not get a shock, the human body does not hold any type of electrical charge so CPR is quite safe and if you have a defibrillator accessible make sure to get it as quickly as possible," said Deschamps.
Experts say Monday's powerful storm is a brief preview of what's to come this summer.
"Now that we're into the summer season severe thunderstorms are going to be possible week-to-week," said Steven Flisfeder, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
"It's something we have to watch out for. Whether or not there's going to be an increase in activity that's not something we're able to say this far out but it is something people should be preparing for throughout the summer."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Feds 'not interested' in investing in LNG facilities: energy minister
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the federal government is 'not interested' in subsidizing future liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including the electrification of projects currently in the works.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Global measles cases nearly doubled in one year, researchers say
The number of measles cases around the world nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, researchers say, presenting a challenge to efforts to achieve and maintain elimination status in many countries.
Fair share: the right office solution can take finding the right partner
The rise of remote and hybrid work has made it harder to justify a full office, so more are leaning on co-working spaces that they share with many others for convenience and cost savings. The choice, however, comes at the expense of privacy and control.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role
California performers are organizing to be represented by a union now, more than four decades after their Florida counterparts did so.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.