British physiotherapist, 48, died after being struck by lightning while on a beach holidaying in Croatia with her two children, inquest hears
- British mother found to have died by a freak lightning strike in Croatia
- Daniella DiMambro was on a beach with her daughter when lightning hit her
- She spent months in hospital in the UK before succumbing to her injuries
A British physiotherapist holidaying in Croatia with her two children died after a freak lightning strike hit her right ear, an inquest has heard.
Daniella DiMambro’s death has been described as a ‘desperately sad case’ by senior coroner for Nottingahmshire, Mairin Casey.
Ms DiMambro was relaxing on a beach in Split, Croatia, with her daughter on August 20, 2022, when she was struck by lightning.
A bystander performed CPR but Ms DiMambro suffered hypoxic brain injury – which is formed when the oxygen supply to the brain is limited – and could not be saved.
She was rushed to hospital in Croatia, then managed in intensive care before she could be repatriated to the UK.
A British physiotherapist holidaying in Croatia with her two children died after a freak lightning strike hit her right ear, an inquest has heard
She died from the brain injuries on October 7, the coroner determined.
‘The lightning strike is thought to have entered through the right ear,’ Ms Casey said at the Nottingham Council House hearing on Wednesday.
The mum was reported to have been at a beach near Split with her daughter when the incident happened.
Ms DiMambro, 48, of Mansfield Road, Nottingham, was on ventilation in intensive care in Nottingham and her condition was regularly reviewed.
She was placed on seizure medication and treated for a high body temperature and urinary infection.
Her family sought expert opinion from a specialist in London – who agreed the prognosis was ‘poor’.
The specialist said the mother-of-two and physiotherapist was unlikely to make significant neurological improvement.
After discussion with her family, including her brother and her parents, this led to a decision that ‘neurological pathway’ care, as advised by treating clinicians, was the most acceptable way forward.
‘And, sadly, following her exacerbation, she was put on palliative end-of-life care,’ Ms Casey said.
Ms DiMambro died on October 7 this year in hospital in Nottingham. Her identity was confirmed by her treating clinician.
The death was referred to Ms Casey by the same doctor. The primary cause of death, which is termed as 1a, was hypoxic ischemic brain injury, followed by 1b, cardiac arrest, then ‘lightning strike’ and urinary tract infection.
The mother and her daughter were sunbathing at a popular beach on the outskirts of the holiday resort of Split when tragedy struck (file image of Split, Croatia)
‘This is a very unusual and desperately sad case,’ Ms Casey, who opened and concluded the inquest at the same hearing, said.
‘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.’
Ms Casey ended by expressing her sincere condolences to Ms DiMambro’s family and children, who were not at the short hearing.
A JustGiving page has been set up in her memory, which is fundraising for The Brain Charity, and donations have risen to £115.
Details of her funeral have been posted on her public page, DiMambro Pilates Physiotherapy, to be held on Friday, October 28, at 9am at Gedling Crematorium, Catfoot Lane, NG4 4QH.
A statement reads: ‘Rather than buying tons of flowers, we would be grateful if you might instead contribute to one of these three charities.’
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