Victim of Brecon Beacons lighting strike named as Jeremy Prescott

A youth worker who was killed by a lightning strike on the Brecon Beacons mountain range has been named by police as Jeremy Prescott, 51.

Two people were killed by separate strikes on the mountain range in south Wales on 5 July. The other victim has not yet been named by police.

Prescott, from Telford, Shropshire, was leading a Duke of Edinburgh Awards (DofE) mountain expedition when he was struck by lighting during the storm. He leaves a wife, two sons and a granddaughter.

A spokesman for the DofE said: "We were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Jeremy Prescott on the Brecon Beacons in such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts are with Jeremy's family at this very sad time."

Telford and Wrekin Council also paid tribute to Prescott, who had worked there as a part-time youth worker.

"It is with great sadness that the council can confirm the tragic death of our colleague Jez Prescott on Sunday. Our thoughts are with Jez's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad and difficult time," said a council spokesman.

"He was a very dedicated individual who gave his time to help young people in the borough achieve their full potential and was a trained Duke of Edinburgh Award support worker.

"It was in this role that Jez was a team leader for a DofE expedition on the Brecon Beacons when he was fatally struck by lightning in a sudden storm at a checkpoint on the group's route.

"The council is considering appropriate ways it can pay tribute to Jez, his work and the part he has played in supporting young people in our borough."

Lightning strikes result in death in approximately 10%-30% of incidents, with around 80% of survivors suffering long-term injuries. According to most estimates between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed worldwide each year.

The chances of being struck by lightning over an average lifetime are around 1-in-12,000, although it depends on location and employment. US park ranger Roy Sullivan is in the Guinness Book of Records having survived seven lightning strikes between 1942-1977.