Three struck by lightning in Polish mountains week after fatal thunderstorm killed five

Three people have been hit by lighting while trekking in the Tatra Mountains, where a thunderstorm killed five people last week, officials in southern Poland have said.

Edward Wlazlo, head of the Tatra National Park guards, said the three were injured during a storm while trekking between Hala Gasienicowa and Kuznice, south of the Zakopane mountain resort.

Andrzej Maciata of the Tatra emergency service TOPR said one of the three, a woman, passed out briefly but the regained consciousness and attempted to walk down to Kuzniece, aided by her companions.

They were met by rescuers who had set out on an all-terrain vehicle to find them.

They took the woman to a hospital in Zakopane.

Mr Maciata said a helicopter that was also dispatched had to turn back due to bad weather.

Last week, a thunderstorm over the Tatras killed four tourists in Poland, including two children, and a Czech tourist in the Slovak part of the mountains.

- PA