Lightning kills GP in South Africa

An emergency nurse struggled to save his doctor wife after lightning struck the Sydney couple and friends as they holidayed in South Africa last week.

An emergency nurse struggled to save his doctor wife after lightning struck the Sydney couple and friends as they holidayed in South Africa last week.

The fatal bolt fell as Lynne Dowd, her husband, Bruce, as well as friends Colin and Aislinn Walwyn, also of Sydney, and Charles and Ann Luther were picnicking at a local beauty spot in Limpopo province.

Dr Dowd and her husband were just days away from the end of their first holiday to South Africa.

Ms Luther said they "didn't hear a thing" before being hit and thrown to the ground.

"It took a few minutes to come round," she said.

"My husband, Charles, was the first to get up while the rest of us lay on the floor asking each other if we were OK. Then Charles said Lynne was not OK and Bruce dragged himself over to help.

"He's an emergency nurse and knew what he was doing. He started giving her CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but she didn't look good," Ms Luther said.

Dr Dowd was taken to Mankweng Hospital, near Polokwane, the provincial capital, but died the following day from suspected multiple organ failure. She never regained consciousness.

Mr Dowd, Mr Luther and Mr Walwyn were kept in hospital overnight with minor burns. One of two labrador dogs with the hiking party was also killed in the accident.

Dr Dowd was a general practitioner in Gladesville in Sydney's west, but made regular trips to the remote NSW community of Lake Cargelligo with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where she worked at the women's health clinic.

Executive director of the RFDS southeastern section Clive Thompson said Dr Dowd gave her all to her work.

"The community had great respect for her because by staying there and talking to people she managed to gain their trust and became part of that community," he said.

Mr Thompson said Dr Dowd had worked at the Lake Cargelligo clinic for 4 1/2 years and the community was in shock that she was gone.

The clinic manager, Jill Hodgson, said few people would have done what Dr Dowd did for the community. Colleagues from Dr Dowd's clinic described her as an adventurous woman and praised her work.

The Dowds have an adult daughter and son.