Georgia teen killed by lightning in Colorado
Associated Press
Saturday, July 5, 2008
WESTCLIFFE — A spokeswoman for a youth camp in southern Colorado says a 16-year-old from Georgia was struck and killed by lightning.
Uplift Mountain spokeswoman Heidi Selden says Landon Dillard of Macon had been staying at the camp. Selden and Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe say the teen was riding bicycles with other campers Thursday near Westcliffe when he was hit by lightning.
Jobe says the others weren't injured.
Selden says Dillard had been at Uplift Mountain for the past four weeks as part of a seven-week program.
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July 5, 2008
9:54 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
My prayers go out to Landon's family and friends. A truly sad story.
July 5, 2008
9:56 p.m.
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Lorraine writes:
How very sad!
Please take lightning seriously. I can't count the number of kids sporting events I was at where the adults didn't stop the game until the lightning was right on top of them. Not to mention golfers, hikers, etc. that just keep right on going, thinking that the storm it too far away to worry about.
If you can see the lightning or hear the thunder, you can be struck. The adults at this camp should have been more careful with the kids in their charge.
July 6, 2008
6:48 a.m.
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HollyGoLightly writes:
I think people are easily deceived with lightning. If you can hear thunder, you ARE within distance of lightning. At the first sound of thunder, shelter should be found immediately.
My condolences to the family and friends of the victim.
July 6, 2008
9:27 a.m.
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singularity99 writes:
I am a NWS observer and live a few miles from the location where it happened. I heard the thunder and then the dispatch call for the ambulance. If you can count less than five seconds between the lightning bolt and thunder clap, you need to get off your bike immediately and crouch down in a low-lying area, if no better shelter is available. It was said that the others felt static charge in the area. When this static charge is felt, you only have seconds to seek a better position.