ABERGAVENNY’s mountain rescue team was among the emergency services called to the lightening strikes in the Brecon Beacons on Sunday which killed two people.

They died in two separate lightening strikes on the Brecon Beacons over the weekend and another two people were taken to hospital, according to a statement from the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

Another person who suffered burns has been transferred to Morriston hospital while the other casualty continues to receive treatment at Prince Charles Hospital.

Longtown Mountain Rescue’s team doctor has issued advice to walkers on how to reduce the risk of being struck by lightening.

Doctor Tim Potts said lightening is thought to kill about 1,000 people a year worldwide so it is an uncommon but real risk to those who participate in outdoor activities.

Doctor Potts is advising people to consider changing their plans if thunderstorms are forecast in the area and, if they on the hills avoid summits and ridges.

He added: “There is danger of lightning strike if the interval between the lightning and thunder is less than 30 seconds and also, for up to 30 minutes after the last strike – the so-called ‘30-30’ rule.

“The best place for shelter during a storm would be a building away from open doors and windows, but avoid small open buildings and also small caves, overhangs, wet gullies and stream beds.”

“You can take shelter near a wall or rock face as there is an area of relative safety extending outwards for a distance equal to the height of the wall, but always stay at least a metre away from the wall.

“Stay away from single trees but in woods a low area with small trees is safer than a clearing.

“If you are caught on open ground in a storm divest yourself of metal items such as trekking poles and crouch down with feet together making as little contact with the ground as possible, or sit on a dry rucksack with hands off the ground.”