Hunsur/ H.D. Kote: In separate incidents, a woman and an elderly man were killed when lightning struck them at Hunsur and H.D. Kote respectively yesterday.

In the first incident, a woman, who had taken shelter under a tree following heavy rains was killed when a lightning struck the tree yesterday afternoon.

The deceased woman is Yashodhamma (65), wife of Boregowda and a resident of Hosapura village in the taluk.

Yesterday at about 3.30 pm, Yashodhamma was working in the field when rain, accompanied by gusty winds began to pour.

Yashodhamma then ran towards a tree and took shelter under it during which a lightning struck the tree killing Yashodhamma on the spot.

Other women, who saw Yashodhamma getting struck by lightning, informed the villagers.

Revenue Department officials and Bilikere Police, who reached the spot, conducted inspection and shifted the body to Bilikere General Hospital for post-mortem. As there were no doctors there, the body was shifted to Hunsur General Hospital. Bilikere Police have registered a case.

In the second case, an elderly man was killed when lightning struck him at Maladahadi in the taluk yesterday. The deceased has been identified as Appaiah (60) of Maladahadi. Appaiah had taken his goats for grazing to an agri field in the afternoon when rain began to lash. He then took shelter under a tree during which lightning struck the tree killing Appaiah on the spot, it is learnt.

The death came to light when those working in neighbouring fields came to the spot only to see the body of Appaiah. The family members were informed about the tragedy, who in turn informed Antharasanthe Police.

Antharasanthe SI Chandra and staff conducted spot mahazar, registered a case and shifted the body to H.D. Kote General Hospital for post-mortem.