Man hit by lightning at WA race track

A 50-year-old man is in a critical condition after being hit by lightning at the Northam racecourse in WA.

A racecourse worker is fighting for his life after being hit by lightning during a race meet east of Perth.

The 50-year-old Northam man has been taken to Royal Perth Hospital 100km away after being struck during a sudden storm.

Racing was immediately abandoned after the incident at about 4.30pm WST on Thursday.