Tributes paid to men killed by lightning

THE grieving family of a teacher who died after being struck by lightning said they were “devastated”.

An inquest has heard that despite the astronomical odds, Robin Frederick Meakings, 59, and Jeremy Prescott, 51, were killed by separate lightning bolts while out on the Brecon Beacons Welsh mountain range on July 5.

Two other people were struck by lightning on the same day, but survived.

Mr Meakings’ family described him as “a much loved and loving father, son, brother, friend and partner” who would be “deeply missed”.

They also noted that he was “an experienced hill walker and knew the Brecon Beacons well”.

Mr Meakings, a design and technology teacher, died instantly after being struck while he was enjoying a Sunday afternoon walk up the Cribyn peak with friends.

His family also spared a thought for the Prescotts saying “our thoughts and condolences go out to the other families affected”.

Mr Prescott, a part-time youth worker known to pals as Jez, was hit while manning a checkpoint on Corn Du mountain as part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award activity.

His family said he died doing something he loved.

In a statement, the Meakings said: “Robin was a much loved and loving father, son, brother, friend and partner.

“He was an experienced hill walker and knew the Brecon Beacons well and was both a dedicated teacher and a co-ordinator for the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme at the Forest School in Horsham where he worked.”

Mr Meakings had served for more than 20 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers before training as a teacher of design and technology.

Powys coroner Andrew Barkley, sitting at Aberdare Coroner’s Court this week, gave the provisional cause of death for both men as electrocution by lightning strike.