A golfing grandfather died four days after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during a thunderstorm, an inquest has heard.
Philip Shard, 60, an IT consultant, was found collapsed by his friend Brian Goldsmith who had been playing a round with him at Fynn Valley Golf Course in Suffolk.
Mr Goldsmith described seeing a flash of lightning before finding Mr Shard unconscious under a tree.
A verdict of accidental death due to lightning strike was recorded by Assistant Coroner Dr Dan Sharpstone.
Philip Shard, 60, died four days after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during a thunderstorm
The pair had started playing in sunny weather at 9.30am on May 27 at the Suffolk course.
But the weather quickly deteriorated at around 10.45am when they were on opposite sides of the fairway and about to play shots on to the fifth green.
Mr Goldsmith recalled how he and Mr Shard stopped to put on waterproof clothing as hail fell.
He said: ‘I was on the green and I looked over to see Philip putting on his water proof jacket as the hail was getting heavier.
‘When I went back, Philip had disappeared. As I walked back across the green there was a loud crack of thunder and lightning.
‘I continued across the green and wandered towards a row of trees, assuming Philip was sheltering from the hail. I found him unconscious under a large conifer tree.’
Paramedics and fellow players battled to save the grandfather at the Fynn Valley Golf Club, near Ipswich, Suffolk (pictured) after he collapsed
He ran about 150m (165yds) to a caravan owned by the golf club, where he asked someone to call for an ambulance, the hearing heard.
A couple of people went back with him to where Mr Shard lay and a defibrillator was used and CPR carried out until paramedics arrived.
An air ambulance also attended but Mr Shard was taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital.
Mr Shard died on May 31 with his family at his bedside in hospital.
The inquest heard he had suffered a hypoxic brain injury.
The grandfather-of-four died after being struck by lightning at the golf course (pictured)
The married father-of two, who had four grandchildren, had only been a member of Fynn Valley for two months before the tragedy.
Tony Tyrrell, club owner and secretary, said at the time of his death: ‘Everyone at the club is horrified. It’s a dreadful thing to have happened and our thoughts are with his family.’
The club said it would be warning players to be vigilant of thunderstorms and ‘take action at the first signs of any electrical activity’.
Mr Shard’s family said in a statement: ‘Philip was a kind and loving gentleman, husband, father, grandpa and friend who will be sorely missed by all.
‘The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all friends and colleagues who have shown so much love and support throughout this difficult time.
‘A special thank you to all the staff at Ipswich Hospital critical care unit who showed Philip so much compassion and care.’
Mr Shard’s daughter Elizabeth Griggs added: ‘Dad was very loud, made an impression on everyone he met and made friends easily.
‘He had a joke for everyone. He would help anyone who was in need, and always had time to see his family, especially his four grandchildren whom he adored.
‘Dad always enjoyed doing artistic projects, whether it be designing his garden or sitting patiently with the grandchildren to draw and do crafts.’