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Dickenson County Herald
Clintwood, Dickenson County, Virginia
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11-year-old Edna Jane Ratliff of Coney Ridge was struck by lightning near a cherry tree while fetching an umbrella in the rain, suffering severe burns on one-third of her body. She was knocked unconscious, her clothes ignited, but family extinguished the flames. She is recovering satisfactorily in the local hospital and may return home within a week.
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Edna Jane Ratliff, 11 year old daughter of Ralph Ratliff of Coney Ridge, who was struck by lightning last Thursday, May 3, is making a satisfactory recovery in the local hospital.
It seems probable that the child may return to her home within a week.
The child had been playing with a cousin when it started raining about five p. m. The other child started home and Edna Jane ran into the house to get an umbrella. Just as she came by a cherry tree, lightning struck the tree and then leaped to the umbrella, destroying it. Edna Jane was knocked unconscious and her clothes were set on fire. Her mother and brother succeeded in putting out the flames and brought the child to the hospital.
She was found to be suffering first and second degree burns on approximately one-third of her body.
Part of her hair and eyebrows were burned off, and she suffered severe burns on the face, chest, abdomen and legs. Her shoes had been ripped from her feet. The lightning grounded through a tack in one of her shoes. This tack had been melted by the bolt.
The tree was completely destroyed, and a quantity of the bark was found on the Ratliff porch about 80 feet away.
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Location
Coney Ridge, Local Hospital
Event Date
Last Thursday, May 3
Story Details
While playing outside during a rainstorm, 11-year-old Edna Jane Ratliff ran to get an umbrella and was struck by lightning that hit a nearby cherry tree, leaped to the umbrella, knocked her unconscious, and set her clothes on fire. Family extinguished the flames and rushed her to the hospital where she is recovering from severe burns covering one-third of her body.