An air traffic controller at Newcastle Airport had a lucky escape recently when she was struck by lightening during a heavy storm.

Vikki Cole, 26, was in the process of giving her radar room a weather update, confirming several storms around the area and a lot of electrical activity, when lightening suddenly struck.

Six bolts of lightening had already hit the ground at the airport and Vikki was busy watching the runway to see which end was safer to direct a plane in to land.

The bolt hit the 130ft tower Vikki was working in just as her finger connected with the touch screen telephone in front of her, which acted as a conductor, shooting a jolt through her finger and up her arm.

No equipment in the tower was damaged; however the emergency alarm was triggered.

Having been thoroughly checked out and despite still suffering a headache Vikki was back at her desk a few hours later, stating “The chances of that happening must be millions to one. I’ll be buying a lottery ticket now.”