Lightning kills one biker, hurts three (Semi Long read)

[scottpA_GS]

Strange event near my home town... I dont know why you would stand under a tree in a storm.. Dont they teach you that when you are a kid???


THE TRIbUNE-DEMOCRAT

A Clearfield man seeking refuge from a sudden storm died Sunday after he was struck by lightning in northeastern Cambria County, officials said.

John Rinehart was killed in a lightning strike that also injured three friends, whose identities were not released late Sunday night.

State police said the victims, en route from Altoona to the Clearfield area, were riding motorcycles on state Route 36 in Gallitzin Township between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

"At that time the weather turned bad and it started raining," state police Trooper C.K. Mack wrote in a news release.

 "The four pulled off the road, parked the cycles and took cover under a large hemlock tree in a wooded area.

"At that time lightning struck in their area."

Police said one victim was able to reach Route 36, where he flagged down a passing motorist.

Authorities released no information on the three survivors' conditions. They were taken to Altoona Hospital for treatment.

Officials with the Blair County coroner's office, who were investigating Rinehart's death, could not be reached for comment late Sunday.

[Roadstergal]

Oooch...  don't hide under a tree in a storm, for a couplea reasons.  Lightning, and branches falling on your head.

[Blueknyt]

if they are going to be that flipping stupid i have only one thing to say.  I hope they didnt procreate.  he gets a Darwin award

[scottpA_GS]

:mrgreen:  When I posted it i didnt want to comment too much cause there was a fatality. but i think they must have been Harley riders  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[un1261]

Are you sure they were not golfers?

[fettcols]

Route 36 was a good ride (when I was a teenager)

I used to ride with my Dad from the snakespring valley up to Altoona on 36.

It must have been a pretty bad storm or I imagine they would have just went a little farther up the road to someplace safer.

[Larry]

Sad story.  Any info or thoughts on how much risk of a lightning strike while on a bike?

[scottpA_GS]

Bikes have rubber tires  :mrgreen:  While its not 100% Rubber is not a good conductor. LIghtning takes the path of least resistance. You are prob. much better off staying on the bike than getting off of it.