[quote]LONG POND, Pa. — A lightning strike in the parking lot at Pocono Raceway after a rain-shortened NASCAR race Sunday killed one person and injured nine others, racetrack officials said.
It wasn't immediately clear if all 10 people were actually struck by lightning in the parking lot behind the grandstands, nor was it known whether one or multiple strikes occurred during the thunderstorm.
Two people were taken to hospitals in critical condition after the strike, racetrack officials said. President Brandon Igdalsky said one of them later died at Pocono Medical Center, but he provided no further details.
"Unfortunately, a member of our raceway family here, a fan, has passed away," he said.
The race was called because of storms, with 98 of the 160 scheduled laps completed. The track posted warnings on its Twitter page to more than 22,000 followers near the end of the race encouraging fans to "seek shelter as severe lightning and heavy winds are in our area."
The attendance was estimated by the track at 85,000. Pocono spokesman Bob Pleban said public address announcements were made before the storm and the end of the race for fans to take shelter and evacuate the grandstands.
Racetrack officials were reviewing the logs of when the announcements were made, Pleban said. There was no order to evacuate the track premises.
Jeff Gordon, who won the race, said he could hear a huge crack as he walked down the pit road during the storm. "You could tell it was very close," he said. "I mean, that's the thing that's going to take away from the victory, is the fact that somebody was affected by that."
One person remained hospitalized in critical condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Pleban said. The other five people were taken to various hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, he said.
"Certainly our thoughts are with them," Gordon said. "I hope everything is OK there."
NASCAR had no immediate comment.[/quote]
[url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/1-dead-9-injured-1491577.html]How?[/url]
[quote]Jeff Gordon, who won the race, said he could hear a huge crack as he walked down the pit road during the storm. "You could tell it was very close," he said. "I mean, that's the thing that's going to take away from the victory, is the fact that somebody was affected by that."[/quote]
Haha, is Jeff Gordon saying what I think he's saying? "The ONE time I win a race and someone has to go and die in the parking lot! Let the champagne flow!"
Article says nine were injured.
What an electrifying turn of events.
huh, it said six earlier.
lightning dont give a fuck
That is some really bad luck...to get hit by lightning, let alone get killed by it.
Oh gee, more electricity puns.
On topic, damn you mother nature.
The chances of getting struck by lightning is as low as winning the lottery. But still, it is advisable to find shelter during possible thunderstorms.
[editline]6th August 2012[/editline]
lightning can still strike you even after thunderstorm have ended
This article was particularly shocking, and and seemed to sparked my interest.
Now, imagine the ratings on this thread if a cat was struck by lightning.
[QUOTE=zakedodead;37098196]Article says nine were injured.
What an electrifying turn of events.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=milkandcooki;37101558]Now, imagine the ratings on this thread if a cat was struck by lightning.[/QUOTE]
Cats only have 9 lives. It would have died. :(
jeff gordons win must've been absolutely electrifying
What a bolt thread.
*imaginative pun*
i had an image of lightning striking a racing car, causing to crash into the stands or other cars
Sounds like it turned out to be a really [I][b]cool[/b][/I] race!
:v:
...
[QUOTE=JerryK;37114729]i had an image of lightning striking a racing car, causing to crash into the stands or other cars[/QUOTE]
I had one of the racers getting sent to the future when lightning hit their car.
[QUOTE=Rome;37114746]Sounds like it turned out to be a really [I][b]cool[/b][/I] race!
:v:
...[/QUOTE]But-but- what? That's not even a lightning or even an electricity pun...
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
