THE lightning bolt that struck a group of boys in Labasa over the weekend burnt the clothes of two boys, threw another two down a ditch and stripped the trunk of the pine tree.
Ashneel Kumar, who survived the ordeal was among three men who sheltered under a pine tree when the lightning struck at Qawa Primary School ground on Friday afternoon.
He said two of the boys had their shorts burnt.
"One of the two that had their shorts burnt was wearing copper jewellery including rings on his fingers which was against the pine tree.
"The lightning bolt struck the tree and it travelled right down to the copper rings in his fingers and when he felt the tingle, he threw his left hand forward towards the other friend who is admitted at hospital," Mr Kumar said.
"Their shorts and undergarments were burnt and we had to cover them with the shirt as another guy performed first aid."
Mr Kumar received scratches and bruises to his left arms and neck.
He was treated at the Labasa Hospital on Friday night with the other two men while the fourth has remained at the Intensive Care Unit.
"We will never forget that day. Now we know how very dangerous the lightning is and after it struck, there were like black carbon substance all around the ground.