Overview

• A lightning bolt hit the 15-year-old while he and his father were hiking near Monte di Mezzo above Lago di Campotosto around 17:30 on August 16
• His father provided first aid until 118 elisoccorso and Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico d’Abruzzo technicians completed a challenging rescue in severe weather
• The adolescent was airlifted in code red to Ospedale San Salvatore dell’Aquila and admitted directly to intensive care where doctors are closely monitoring his vital signs
• Carabinieri have launched formal inquiries into the circumstances of the strike as part of standard protocol for serious mountain accidents
• Rescue teams were also stretched by simultaneous operations, including the airlift of two alpinists to Campo Imperatore and a leg-injury recovery at Campo Felice