Massachusetts Native Killed, Girlfriend Injured in Lightning Strike in Australia

Sam Beattie was with his girlfriend on Mountain Warning when a storm rolled in

A man with ties to New England was recently killed and his girlfriend injured after being struck by lightning while vacationing in Australia.

Sam Beattie, 24, and Michele Segalla, 23, a couple originally from Duxbury, now living in New York, left for a year-long vacation to Australia back in October.

Australian TV reports that the couple had pitched a tent on top of Mountain Warning when a fierce storm rolled in.

Beattie's foot was up against a tree when the tree was hit by lightning. Beattie was killed and Segalla was injured.

Segalla is being treated for injuries to her head and neck.

Two teenage boys hiking the mountain found the couple and tried to resuscitate Beattie for over an hour. But it was too late according to local officials.

A rescue crew of about 15 people trekked to the summit about 3,600 feet above sea level to help the group and retrieve Beattie's body.

Authorities said camping at the summit is not allowed.

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