Lightning strikes right on time for Friday 13th

But it was the timing of the incident that struck medics who were called to help him, since it was at precisely 13:13 that the 13-year-old was seen by the St John Ambulance team at Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival in Suffolk.

The teenager suffered a minor burn and was taken to hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery.

County ambulance officer Jason Gillingham, who was at the show, said: "This was a very minor burn to the boy's shoulder, but he was conveyed to hospital and is recovering well.

"The incident proves what an important role St John Ambulance plays here at the show every year. We really do our bit to make a difference to the enormous number of people who are out enjoying their day... no matter what the weather, or the date."

The incident came as sceptical staff at a Yorkshire tourist attraction set out to prove there was nothing unlucky about Friday the 13th.

Tourists visiting The York Dungeon were urged to laugh in the face of superstition as glass mirrors were smashed, a black cat made an appearance and umbrellas were opened indoors.

The experiment begin the moment visitors walked into the dungeons – under a huge ladder, past a set of upside-down horseshoes and across the path of a black cat.