“Lightning strike injures 2 men near Lucerne” (while shooting in Colorado)

[jody]

Lightning strike injures 2 men near Lucerne

A Loveland man suffered serious injuries when he was hit by lightning Monday afternoon while skeet shooting east of Lucerne.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Martinez said the two men were with a group of seven people shooting skeet at a farmhouse 2 to 3 miles east of Lucerne. She said the incident occurred just before a heavy thunderstorm moved through the Greeley area.

“There was no storm out there at the time, but obviously, there was lightning.

“Apparently, a skeet had just been launched, and the lightning may have hit the shotgun because it pretty much exploded in (Renuch’s) hands,” Martinez said.

Story confirms several facts:
1. When lighting is in the area, never hold a metal rod in the area.

2. News articles aren't always accurate regarding specifics.

FOR THE RECORD: Skeet is a particular hobby using shotguns as does trap, sporting clays, etc.

Targets used in shotgun sports are commonly referred to as "clay pigeons", "clay targets", "targets", but never, never as a "skeet".

[Statistical]

1. A skeet. sounds like an animal... lol n/t

[AtheistCrusader]

3. I was wondering just how big the Mosquitos get down there. :D

[aikoaiko]

2. Lesson noted.

Its too bad they didn't have picture to illustrate what happened.

I suppose its easy to get complacent in that neck of the woods because you can see thunderstorms pouring down 30 miles away and be in sunny weather. Still, discretion is the better part of valor.

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. Reminds me of an old joke...

Short version:

After the first lightning strike, the angry golfer runs into the middle of the fairway and holds a golf club over his head, pointed at the sky. His friend, before bolting for the clubhouse asks "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!?" The golfer in the fairway responds "I've NEVER been able to hit this fucking two iron. Let's see if God can".

[spin]

5. If you have lived in the Tampa Bay area of Florida...

sometimes called the "lightning capitol of the United States", you develop a healthy respect for lightning. If you are wise, you take note of thunder.

The NWS suggests that Floridians follow the "30/30 Rule" to safeguard against becoming a victim of lightning. According to their research, lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from the center of a thunderstorm – a distance beyond the audible range of thunder. Therefore, if you do hear thunder, you are in striking range of lightning. The 30/30 Rule states that if the "flash to bang" time - from seeing lightning to hearing the thunderclap - is 30 seconds or less seek shelter immediately – and remain sheltered until 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.

That rule, however, is of limited use should a thunderstorm form overhead as can happen in the Tampa Bay area. As such, the best advice is to be aware and to keep an eye on the skies. Having a portable NOAA weather radio when camping or spending time outdoors will also help to be prepared. In this area, thunderstorms and the associated lightning can form with incredible speed out of seemingly clear blue skies. The radios are widely available at electronics stores and other locations.

Lightning is one of Florida’s greatest silent killers and while you may not be able to completely ensure the safety of your home, you can take steps to ensure your personal safety – and to avoid becoming the next victim.
http://www.observernews.net/artman/publish/article_001601.shtml

While I never have known anyone who was directly struck by a lightning bolt, my ex wife was nailed by a feeder bolt as she got into her car and was in the process of folding her umbrella.(she had some tingling and pain in her left arm for months.) Two other co-workers we knocked off their feet in separate incidents by a near strike by a lightning bolt as they walked across a wet parking lot during a thunderstorm.