When Dr Robbie Tait and his dog went running on a Darwin beach, crocodiles were the concern. An oncoming storm, and the lightning that eventually struck him, didn’t stand out as potentially life-threatening
Even though you can’t swim in the Northern Territory’s coastal seas because of crocodiles and stingers, I loved the beaches and would run with my Tenterfield terrier, Finn, most evenings.
Before letting Finn off his lead, I checked the water for crocs. You can’t be too complacent; dogs have previously been a croc’s dinner here. This was my main concern that evening. Not the approaching storm or getting wet. Storms usually pass as quickly as they come.
I remember the storm clouds rolling in, some thunder and lightning from behind us. It didn’t stand out as potentially life-threatening.
The remainder was like playing in a rugby game, where you remember running on to the field then waking up concussed, knowing nothing of the game’s final score.
I worked as a general paediatrician at Royal Darwin hospital. I woke up there, surrounded by fellow doctors and repeatedly asked them, “Where am I? What happened? Did lightning strike me?”
During my night in ICU, I dreamed of being on the beach with Finn, feeling exposed, vulnerable and a bright flash. I don’t recall any other specifics. Thankfully, Finn was safe. He was off his lead and further down the beach.