Motorcyclist Killed by Lightning While Riding Back From Charity Event

[sgtcowboyusmc]

Sunday, April 26, 2009


LAWRENCE, Kan. — A 45-year-old Lawrence man was killed when he was hit by lightning as he was riding his motorcycle as storms swept through northeast Kansas.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig says the man was with six other motorcyclists who are members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse group. He was hit by lightning about 5 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 24 between Perry and Granville.

A man riding next to the victim was treated and released at a Topeka hospital. The other five members of the group were not injured.

Herrig says the motorcyclists were returning home after visiting some children they had helped in the past in their work against child abuse. He calls the man's death a "tragic, sad thing."


This really sucks but thought I would share it with you all.

[BluesFan]

Lightning frightens me, lost a relative to it, after a 20+ year coma.

[Hammerhead Pat]

He wasn't riding a Buell Lightning was he? I know I shouldn't have said that but, the article said he was riding thru a storm in Kansas. Hello!!! Aren't those the real nasty ones like we have here in Fl.? I watch the weather closely before I go riding and when I get caught in it if it is firing off lightning bolts all around me, I get off the road. If that was a gamble he took and tried to outrun the storm, I'm sorry he didn't make it.

[sgtcowboyusmc]

Although I have never been to Kansas, I understand it is a lot like West Texas where the weather can be nice or at least decent and with in an hour or two it can get plain nasty. I know I have left my home and within 30 minutes it was lighting and Hail the size of golf balls were coming down hard enough to dent my gas tank. A few lazy clouds when I left. Volatile weather to be sure. If you don't like the weather in West Texas just wait 15 minutes it will change! The most spectacular lightning storms I have ever seen.

[shovelmike]

That's a terrible tragedy. The weather can change rapidly, I'm sure he thought they could outrun the worst of it.
I have taken the same gamble myself many times, not quite so prone to chance it anymore. My prayers are with his family and friends.

[JCourneyaP]

Yeah I hate lightning also. Near miss with that stuff on a few occasions. One was when the sun was still out and the storm clouds seemed to be a ways away. The heat, smell of ozone and that buzz through the body. Man I hate that unpredictable stuff. Ride the lightning! If you think you can beat it go for it. If its going to get you it will. Through a window or roof. Yup I hate it.

I would rather die riding or doing something I love instead of having a heart attack in the office. Sad story....