An entire family was struck by lightning while reaping peanuts at their farm on Sunday afternoon resulting in one person being killed and three others being hospitalised.

Dead is 23-year-old Dalmar White of a St Elizabeth address. Three other family members including White's 68-year-old grandmother suffered severe burns as a result of being struck. Two of the persons were later released.

According to the Maggotty police, the family members were among nine persons who were reaping peanuts on their farm in Tankie district, St Elizabeth.

At approximately 2:10 p.m., while rain was falling quite heavy, the police say the farmers gathered underneath a tent reaping the peanuts.

broken tent

THE STAR was told that the tent collapsed as a result of the rain and strong winds. It is said that five persons ran to a nearby tent that was on the farm.

The family members are said to have remained underneath the broken tent while gathering the peanuts. It is reported that the lightning struck the shelter and the four persons were injured.

They were all rushed to the Black River Hospital where White was pronounced dead and the others treated for their injuries.