Lightning teenager 'saved by iPod'

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Sophie Frost, 14, and her boyfriend Mason Billington, also 14, sheltered under a tree in King George V Playing Field, in Rayleigh, Essex, during a thunder storm on Monday night.

Lightning struck and Sophie passed out as the current travelled through her iPod headphones, which were hanging from her school uniform, burning her chest and stomach.

Although his eyesight was affected by the bolt, Mason put Sophie over his shoulder and carried her to nearby Websters Way to get help.

A female motorist stopped and drove the couple, both students at Sweyne Park School, in Rayleigh, to Southend Hospital.

Sophie, who received burns to her neck, chest and leg, is now being treated at Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford, while Mason remains at Southend Hospital.

Sophie, of Kendal Way, Eastwood, has now been dubbed "Sparky" by friends and family.

Sophie's mother Julie told the Sun: "I just thank God my daughter is still alive. The doctors say her iPod saved her. Her nan only bought it a few days ago. Luckily, she wasn't actually wearing the headphones. If she had been, she might not be here today. Mind you, the only thing Sophie seemed worried about was that her new iPod was frazzled."

Paul Knightley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said it was likely that the tree had been struck by lightning which then passed to the teenagers through their wet clothing.

He said lightning takes the easiest route to the ground and the metal in Sophie's iPod would have been the best conductor.