Biker killed by lightning!

watchman · 04-30-2009, 01:31 PM

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 is the first time I have heard of this happening. With our upcoming trips we should all take heed and be extra careful. Liz and I have ridden in storms that we should not have been out in but usually it was because of poor vision or road conditions.

I have been watching the weather reports with a close eye as we plan to head south Saturday. Rain is predicted for the next 10 days all through the areas we have planned to ride in. I guess it is a good thing I got those new rain pants.

egetaseb · 04-30-2009, 01:35 PM

My heart goes out to the riders, and the man's family. I was caught in a freak hail and lightning storm 2 weeks ago and the same thoughts were on my mind. It is the scariest experience I have ever had on the bike.

oldbikers · 04-30-2009, 02:26 PM

Watchman you and Liz be careful and we will see you in Eureka Springs

cactusjack · 04-30-2009, 02:27 PM

If this would have happened here in AZ, the local newspaper would have made it a point to mention whether or not he was wearing a helmet.

That's one of those freak "wrong place at the wrong time" occurrences. Tragic.

**ringadingh** · 04-30-2009, 06:59 PM

Im sure the hemet would have helped. ;)

lw · 04-30-2009, 08:44 PM

Definitely a tragic occurrence. I hope the riders who survived but were injured recover fully and quickly.

Secondary message:
Stay on God's good side, because he has great aim.

paul · 04-30-2009, 08:57 PM

There's one I would never have imagined. Shame. Something to think about. Prayers with the family.

samkjr · 05-01-2009, 03:01 PM

It's awful, but the same thing happend to a fellow in Southampton County Virginia about 4 years ago. Accorind to the time frame the cops gave I was only about 5-15 minutes ahead of him on the highway.

ells · 05-01-2009, 09:20 PM

Same thing happened in Denver about 2-3 years ago. That's at total of 3 that the 8 of us know about now, so far. On a bike you are not in a Faraday cage, which is what protects you in a car, a little more exposed than you might realize,and the tires don't help that much.

**glwilson** · 05-01-2009, 09:55 PM

Lightning is a very strange thing.

Quite a few years ago in one of the Western States a bunch of people were killed by lightning when attending a HS football game (I believe Colorado). The strange part was that it wasn't storming at the stadium -- it was clear skies at the time.

Evidently the "freak" lightning had traveled many miles from the a storm occurring elsewhere to strike these people.

**Idaho** · 05-01-2009, 10:53 PM

I don't believe in fate or the old saying about 'when your number is up' but this sure makes you wonder.

04-30-2009, 01:31 PM	#1
watchman Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Macon, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Biker killed by lightning! 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 is the first time I have heard of this happening. With our upcoming trips we should all take heed and be extra careful. Liz and I have ridden in storms that we should not have been out in but usually it was because of poor vision or road conditions. I have been watching the weather reports with a close eye as we plan to head south Saturday. Rain is predicted for the next 10 days all through the areas we have planned to ride in. I guess it is a good thing I got those new rain pants. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-30-2009, 01:35 PM	#2
egetaseb Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 238	Biker killed by lightning! My heart goes out to the riders, and the man's family. I was caught in a freak hail and lightning storm 2 weeks ago and the same thoughts were on my mind. It is the scariest experience I have ever had on the bike. __________________ Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. KawaNOW #00755
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04-30-2009, 02:26 PM	#3
oldbikers Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sardis Mississippi Posts: 3,513	Biker killed by lightning! Watchman you and Liz be careful and we will see you in Eureka Springs __________________ Jim Hardin Sardis MS Kawanow # 453 Proud PGR member
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04-30-2009, 02:27 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Biker killed by lightning! If this would have happened here in AZ, the local newspaper would have made it a point to mention whether or not he was wearing a helmet. That's one of those freak "wrong place at the wrong time" occurrences. Tragic. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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04-30-2009, 06:59 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Biker killed by lightning! Im sure the hemet would have helped. ;) __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-30-2009, 08:44 PM	#6
lw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 2,117	Biker killed by lightning! Definitely a tragic occurrence. I hope the riders who survived but were injured recover fully and quickly. Secondary message: Stay on God's good side, because he has great aim.
	0

04-30-2009, 08:57 PM	#7
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	Biker killed by lightning! There's one I would never have imagined. Shame. Something to think about. Prayers with the family. __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
	0

05-01-2009, 03:01 PM	#8
samkjr Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 346	Biker killed by lightning! It's awful, but the same thing happend to a fellow in Southampton County Virginia about 4 years ago. Accorind to the time frame the cops gave I was only about 5-15 minutes ahead of him on the highway.
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05-01-2009, 09:20 PM	#9
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Biker killed by lightning! Same thing happened in Denver about 2-3 years ago. That's at total of 3 that the 8 of us know about now, so far. On a bike you are not in a Faraday cage, which is what protects you in a car, a little more exposed than you might realize,and the tires don't help that much.
	0

05-01-2009, 09:55 PM	#10
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Biker killed by lightning! Lightning is a very strange thing. Quite a few years ago in one of the Western States a bunch of people were killed by lightning when attending a HS football game (I believe Colorado). The strange part was that it wasn't storming at the stadium -- it was clear skies at the time. Evidently the "freak" lightning had traveled many miles from the a storm occurring elsewhere to strike these people. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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05-01-2009, 10:53 PM	#11
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Biker killed by lightning! I don't believe in fate or the old saying about 'when your number is up' but this sure makes you wonder. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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