People who are struck by lightning while wearing headphones may see their injuries exacerbated, according to an article published by an Irish radiologist.
Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, Eric Heffernan of Vancouver General Hospital points to the case of a Canadian man who was struck while wearing his iPod in British Colombia in 2005.
The 37-year-old man suffered ruptured eardrums, a fractured jaw, extensive burns and was hurled two metres in the air.
It is thought that the metal headphones and sweat directed the current to and through the patient's head.
In the article published today, the Irish-born radiologist says that it is the first recorded case involving a person wearing headphones, and that the public should be warned.
It also suggests that use of any device which requires headphones, or even a mobile phone, could result in similar injuries.
