This is the shocking moment a car was struck by lightning while driving out of a parking area.

The driver narrowly avoided injury when the thunderbolt hit his grey hatchback during a storm in Guangxi, China.

Dashcam footage shows the vehicle slowly manoeuvring on the motorway when a sudden burst of sparks from the gloomy skies zapped the roof of the car on August 5.

The car's engine immediately stalled while the windscreen wipers continued to move.

An onlooker said: 'The driver stayed inside the vehicle for five minutes before stepping out. He was unharmed and safe after the incident.'

When driving during a lightning storm, it is safest to remain inside the car as the metal cage channels the electrical current from a lightning strike into the ground, shielding occupants from harm.

Stepping outside the car during a lightning strike increases the risk of being directly hit by lightning or affected by ground current, which can cause serious injury or death.