TWO teenage sweethearts had the shock of their lives when they were both struck by lightning as they sat under a tree in a park.

The 14-year-olds were sheltering under the tree in King George V Playing Field, in Rayleigh, during the violent storms of Monday evening, when the lightning struck.

Sophie Frost, who was listening to her iPod at the time, passed out.

She was then heroically carried to safety by her boyfriend, Mason Billington, even though he could barely see as his eyes were hurt by the bolt.

The pair, who attend Sweyne Park School, in Rayleigh, are recovering from their injuries in hospital.

Sophie received burns to her neck, chest and leg, and is being treated at Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford, while Mason is at Southend Hospital.

Sophie, who has since been nicknamed “Sparky” by family and friends, spoke to the Echo from her hospital bed.

She said: “I’m doing OK. I’m doing well. I’ve a few burns down my body, but it’s all healing OK.

“My eyes have some minor wounds, some irritation, but they will heal in a couple of weeks.

“We both got knocked unconscious, but my boyfriend got up first. He couldn’t see, but he took me over his shoulder and carried me to the road.”

Sophie said, at first, cars driving on nearby Websters Way would not stop for her, but eventually a kind-hearted woman stopped and drove them both to Southend Hospital.

She added: “I don’t remember any of the incident. I just remember looking at my watch, thinking I have to ring my mum, and then being dragged into the road.”

Sophie, who lives in Kendall Way, Eastwood, has been surrounded by her family since the incident, and has received cards and texts from friends.

Her sister, Amy Telfer, 20, from Basildon, said: “Sophie took the brunt of the lightning. I was shocked when I heard, but not as shocked as she was.

“She’s talking and laughing about it now.”

Amy said the lightning appeared to have gone through Sophie’s iPod and burned the top of her chest, down to her stomach. After that, it travelled down her leg and came out of her ankle.

She added: “There were lots of things that kept her alive. They were holding hands and wearing shoes, which helped.”

Amy said she sent a bunch of flowers and a thank you card to the woman who drove the pair to hospital.