ENDAU, Malaysia - A lorry driver died after lightning struck his "rumah kongsi", just as he was unplugging his handphone charger from a socket at Ulu Sungai Endau, Endau, on Sunday evening.
Mohd Nazrun Othman was believed to have been electrocuted in the 7pm incident.
He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the emergency unit of the Endau health clinic, where he was taken immediately after the incident.
A friend of the victim, Muhammad Ikhwan Muhammad, 19, who stood nearby when the lightning struck was also thrown off his feet by the impact.
The teenager was sent to Mersing Hospital before being transferred to the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru.
Another of the victim's friend, Johari Mohd Sood, who was also in the kongsi escaped unhurt.
Relating the incident, the 41-year-old said the socket was charred while a crack appeared on the wall of the kongsi after the lightning strike.
"I heard a loud roar of thunder followed by the lightning strike, before both men went down crying out in agony.
"I was panic stricken and didn't know what to do at that time. Nazrun was writhing in pain."
Johari said he shouted for help and those living in the estate rushed to his assistance.
Rompin district police chief Deputy Superintendent Johari Jahaya said Nazrunwas buried at the Felda Selendang 1 Islam cemetery in Rompin following a post-mortem.
At his house in Felda Selendang, Nazrun's parents were too grief-stricken to speak to reporters.
A relative, Mariani Omar, 30, said he had left for work early on his motorcycle on the day of the incident.
"He told us he had a lot of work to do before starting his leave for Nuzul Quran (quranic teachings).
Mohd Nazrun Othman was believed to have been electrocuted in the 7pm incident.
He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the emergency unit of the Endau health clinic, where he was taken immediately after the incident.
A friend of the victim, Muhammad Ikhwan Muhammad, 19, who stood nearby when the lightning struck was also thrown off his feet by the impact.
The teenager was sent to Mersing Hospital before being transferred to the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru.
Another of the victim's friend, Johari Mohd Sood, who was also in the kongsi escaped unhurt.
Relating the incident, the 41-year-old said the socket was charred while a crack appeared on the wall of the kongsi after the lightning strike.
"I heard a loud roar of thunder followed by the lightning strike, before both men went down crying out in agony.
"I was panic stricken and didn't know what to do at that time. Nazrun was writhing in pain."
Johari said he shouted for help and those living in the estate rushed to his assistance.
Rompin district police chief Deputy Superintendent Johari Jahaya said Nazrunwas buried at the Felda Selendang 1 Islam cemetery in Rompin following a post-mortem.
At his house in Felda Selendang, Nazrun's parents were too grief-stricken to speak to reporters.
A relative, Mariani Omar, 30, said he had left for work early on his motorcycle on the day of the incident.
"He told us he had a lot of work to do before starting his leave for Nuzul Quran (quranic teachings).
