Battle to save two lightning strike victims in Sydney’s north

Lionel Bush describes how he saved his brother Josh after he was struck by lightning while surfing at Dee Why on Monday while Christine Lawrence, 71, remains critical in hospital after she was struck in Arcadia, kilometres away, 10 minutes later.

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A man has described how his brother was left floating lifeless in the water after he was struck by lightning while surfing in Sydney’s north.

Surfer Josh Bush, 29, was hit by the bolt as he entered the water at Dee Why Beach about 5.30pm on Monday.

Josh Bush with his wife Caylie. Picture: Facebook

A few minutes earlier Christine Lawrence, 71, was also struck by lightning while standing under a tree on her property in ­Arcadia.

Last night Mrs Lawrence remained in a critical condition at Royal North Shore Hospital, while Mr Bush, who was also taken there, was listed as stable.

Mr Bush was given CPR by his brother Lionel after he lost consciousness when the lightning hit.

“I looked around like ‘oh, was everyone OK?’ and then I saw my brother lying in the water, so I sprinted over as fast as I could and he was just gone — eyes completely open — just gone,” Lionel told Channel 10.

“I just jumped in and tried to grab him. It was in the wash water. I’ve just seen Bondi Rescue, so I just jumped on him and started pumping his chest as hard as I could.”

Josh Bush is brought from the water after he was struck by lightning. Picture: TNV

Josh Bush is treated by paramedics and comforted by family and friends. Picture: TNV

One of Mr Bush’s close mates said the recently married man was still recovering from his ordeal.

“We saw him this afternoon (Tuesday), he’s just frazzled. He’s in shock. He’s going to be in the ICU for a couple more days then in a hospital for a few weeks after that,” he said.

Mrs Lawrence was with her husband in a work shed at their Bay Rd home when lightning struck.

Christine Lawrence (L) with Partner John Lawrence.

Christine Lawrence (right) enjoys horse riding. Picture: Facebook

It is understood she then had left the shed when a second bolt hit seconds later — striking a tree and sparking a fire.

Neighbour Ben Modde rushed to put out the fire while six different paramedic crews worked to revive Mrs Lawrence for half an hour.

“The CareFlight helicopter made a rapid landing in the property next door to the Lawrence family and I raced up the road when I saw a fire in their yard,” Mr Modde told The Daily Telegraph.

Neighbour Ben Modde extinguished the fire started by the lightning strike.

Neighbour Ben Modde douses the flames on the tree as paramedics work on Christine Lawrence. Picture: AAP/Careflight

“The paramedics asked me to put out the fire while they worked on her — they didn’t give up on her.”

CareFlight said the patient suffered cardiac arrest.