Sydney Doctor Killed by Lightning in South Africa

Added by James Morley on March 30, 2011

A Sydney doctor has been killed by lighting while bush walking with her husband and four other friends in South Africa, the website iAfrica reports.

Lynne Dowd, her husband Bruce, and four other friends were visiting Limpopo in South Africa when they were hit by a bolt of lightning while walking at Brawn’s Knob, some 22 kilometres from Haenertsburg.

Although everyone in the group suffered burns, Dr Down did not regain consciousness after the incident.

Dr Dowd, remembered as kind and caring happy-go-lucky woman, worked at a medical practice in Gladesville for some 22 years. “She was a caring doctor, she will be sadly missed by myself and the patients,” said fellow GP Dr Louis Gallo who added that the centre had been inundated with calls from patients since the accident.

Dr Dowd was also working with the Royal Flying Doctor (RFD) Service in the small NSW town of Lake Cargellio and she also did additional work with indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, said Sheree Quinn, a program coordinator for the RFD.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman said the government is arranging for Dr Dowd’s body to be returned to Australia. “The High Commission in Pretoria is liaising with the funeral director who is responsible for the repatriation of the woman’s body to Australia,” a statement read.