eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Medical Case Reports 2374-216X 2020-10-13 8 12 538 540 10.12691/ajmcr-8-12-29 AJMCR202081229 article Kei Jitsuiki 1 Ken-ichi Muramatsu 1 Shin-ichi Shoda 1 Youichi Yanagawa 1 Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University A 29-year-old male soldier, who was taking part in a military field training exercise during summer, lost consciousness and fell backwards while sheltering at the foot of a tree that was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. Upon arrival, his vital signs were stable. He had a linear burn at the right brachium with headache. Electrocardiography, cardiac ultrasound and whole body computed tomography revealed no specific findings. Blood biochemistry revealed rhabdomyolysis. The post-admission course was uneventful. This is a rare report of a patient who received a side flash from a tree during a lightning strike. Service members who routinely train and work outdoors should be vigilant in relation to the dangers of lightning. http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmcr/8/12/29/ajmcr-8-12-29.pdf lightning injury side flash headache