Teen Boy And Man Struck By Lightning As Golf Ball-Sized Hail Batters Southeast Australia

Two people have been struck by lightning bolts in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales as thunderstorms batter Australia.

According to reports, a 16-year-old boy suffered burns to his torso, arms and legs when he was hit on Monday, while a 24-year-old man was treated after thunderstorms hit the region.

The MailOnline reports that both patients were taken to Nepean Hospital in Katoomba for treatment.

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, NSW Ambulance confirmed the casualties, with Greg Marshall, Duty Operations Manager adding: "These people are extremely lucky to be alive.

"One centimetre either way and they would have faced a direct hit which could've been fatal. This is an extraordinary circumstance, being struck by lightning is a terrifying experience.

"Paramedics had to work quickly at the scene - they want to get in there and do whatever needs to be done to save a life, often putting their own safety at risk."

Severe thunderstorm warnings are still in place for New South Wales and Victoria, in the wake of a huge hailstorm that smashed car windows as well as causing injury to animals.

Tom Swann, a researcher at the Australian Institute based in Canberra, found an injured bird that he took to the vet.

According to the Australia Bureau of Meteorology, the storm is now headed east towards the coastal cities of Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.

As you can see from the previous tweet, Vic Emergency - Victoria's combined source of emergency information and warnings - received more than 1,700 requests for assistance.