By Patrick Teah, Jr.
A tragic incident has reportedly claimed the life of an elderly woman in Picnicess, Grand Kru County, after she was allegedly struck by lightning during a heavy rainstorm.
The deceased, identified as Juah Tarplah Barsseh, believed to be in her 60s, was a mother of seven children and more than ten grandchildren.
According to family sources, the heartbreaking incident occurred on Friday, May 8, 2026, while Madam Barsseh was reportedly leaving her bedroom and heading to the sitting room during a severe storm. A relative, identified as E.D. Swen, explained that lightning allegedly penetrated the house and struck her, throwing her to the ground instantly.
Following the incident, family members and residents of the community quickly rushed her to a nearby health facility for urgent medical attention. However, medical personnel later pronounced her dead.
Speaking to reporters, a close relative, Jerome Sikar, disclosed that Madam Barsseh had long carried the burden of caring for her family after the death of her husband several years ago. According to him, she struggled through subsistence farming to raise her seven children and support more than ten grandchildren in the area.
The tragic death has left family members and residents of the community in deep sorrow, with many expressing concern over the future of the children and grandchildren she leaves behind.
The bereaved family is now appealing to humanitarian organizations, government authorities, and compassionate citizens to provide assistance and support to the children, who are now left without both parents.
Family members believe that any form of support would greatly help improve the children’s lives and provide them with opportunities to grow into responsible citizens who can contribute meaningfully to national development.
In Photo: Children of the Deceased
