The horrifying moment that lightning struck an eight-year-old British boy in the sea has been captured on camera.
Footage shows the youngster paddling at Warrilla Beach near Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia, when the freak incident happened on Thursday evening.
He can be seen falling down into the water after a bolt of lightning suddenly flashes across the sky.
The boy, who is believed to be English, reportedly had scars and burns on his chest when pulled unconscious from the sea and rushed to hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
It comes after nearly one million people flocked to beaches for the Australia Day public holiday, as the Surf Life Saving NSW kept on the lookout for anyone in distress.
Witness Simon Young said he heard an "almighty crack" before seeing family members rushing over to the young boy.
He told 9News: "It was just like a shock out of nowhere and at the time I looked out to the inlet and everyone was unaware of what had occurred.
"A young child just fell to the ground in the water and his family and siblings ran to his aid to grab him as fast as possible."
On Thursday, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued by the Bureau of Meteorology as temperatures reached as high as 33C in the area before a cloud font moved in.
The State Emergency Service warned that damaging winds and large hailstones were likely.
They advised residents to move their car under cover or away from trees, unplug computers and appliances, avoid using their phones and stay indoors away from windows.
And across the public holiday, Surf Life Saving NSW said 10,000 preventative actions were performed and 41 major incidents were dealt with by its members.
In Wollongong, 12 people needed rescuing in the sea at Wonoona while 20 people were in distress off Maroubra in east Sydney and needed pulling from the water.
Lifeguard Chris Holme said the Warrilla Beach incident was a "one in a million" situation, adding: "All our hearts go out to the young boy and their family and hope they are on the road to recovery."
It is the second freak accident to happen in the state this month after a little girl tragically choked to death while on the way home in her mum's car.
Imogen Lennon, aged five, began struggling while eating a deli frankfurt on January 16.
Her mum rang for an ambulance but was told it was too far away to make it in time. She drove her daughter to the hospital herself with the help of a passerby.
Despite the efforts, little Imogen sadly passed away in hospital.
