A beloved mum has died after she was struck by lightning while on holiday in Croatia with her children.
Daniella DiMambro, 48, suffered injuries which later led to her death following the freak accident on a beach near Split, an inquest in Nottingham heard on Wednesday.
The mother-of-two suffered an "out of hospital cardiac arrest" after being struck on August 20 , according to senior coroner for Nottingahmshire, Mairin Casey .
Nottinghamshire Live reports the lightning bolt entered through Daniella DiMambro's right ear. A bystander gave her CPR, but Daniella had also suffered hypoxic brain injuries, which restrict oxygen from being supplied to the brain.
Daniella, who was reportedly fleeing a storm to the safety of a hotel with her daughter at the time of the incident, was taken to a hospital in Croatia and kept in intensive care.
After being repatriated back to the UK, Daniella was kept on ventilation in intensive care in Nottingham. She was constantly monitored, and received treatment for a high body temperature and urinary infection.
Her family sought an expert opinion from a specialist in London, who said her prognosis was "poor" and stated she was unlikely to make significant neurological improvement.
Following discussion including with her brother and her parents, a decision was made that she would need 'neurological pathway' care, as advised by treating clinicians.
Daniella died on October 7 in hospital in Nottingham. Her identity was confirmed by her treating clinician.
The primary cause of death, which is termed as 1a, was given as hypoxic ischemic brain injury, followed by 1b, cardiac arrest, then "lightning strike" and urinary tract infection. "
"This is a very unusual and desperately sad case," added Miss Casey, who opened and concluded the inquest at the same hearing.
"It seems to be so unusual, the appropriate conclusion is narrative. I find she was struck by lightning on August 20, 2022. This caused injuries which ultimately led to her death in the UK on October 7.
"Her death was due to a lightning strike, leading to cardiac arrest and hypoxic ischemic brain injury." Miss Casey ended by expressing her sincere condolences to Daniella's family and children, who were not at the short hearing.
One tribute left to Daniella online described her as a "wonderful, talented and vibrant woman", while another called her a "lovely lady who’ll be greatly missed by everyone."
A JustGiving page has been set up in her memory in aid of The Brain Charity, where donations currently stand at £345.
