September 29, 2008
Bangkok - Two Australians and three Thais have been killed in a lightning strike at a waterfall in Mukdahan province.
Australian teacher Greg Crombie, aged 40, and two Thai girls aged 14 and 17 died instantly when a bolt of lightning hit the tree they were sheltering under after the storm began, according to AFP.
Thomas McGuiness, 16-year-old Australian student, and a 16-year-old Thai girl later died at separate hospitals.
The incident took place at a waterfall in Mukdahan, 600 kilometres northeast of Bangkok.
The first lightning struck, causing thirty people to seek shelter under a big tree nearby. The second lightning struck the tree.
Crombie and two other teachers were leading a school trip of 13 Australian students.
Many Thais had also gathered at the Tad Ton waterfall, a popular weekend spot for local tourists.
