[OT] Tragic and bizarre: couple dies when struck by lightning

[ForceUser]

Never sit in metal chairs while caught in a lightning storm. How awful.

 

[Mark]

Originally from CNN's article
When the storm hit, the family took cover under trees near the shore of Crystal Lake, about 60 miles east of Salt Lake City in the 12,000-foot Uinta mountain range. The parents sat in metal chairs, Ostler said.

Wow! On a mountain, under the trees, sitting in metal chairs... I'd imagine it was quick, if that's any solace.

 

[tetsujin28]

Isn't this kind of like advising people not to go on your roof during a lightning storm and hug your tv antenna? I mean, metal chairs, sheesh...

 

[Buttercup]

Would it be rude of me to say that they won the Darwin Award?

 

[Mercule]

Would it be rude of me to say that they won the Darwin Award?

In the spirit of giving the benefit of the doubt, if they happenned to be on a picnic or something, the storm could have come up quick. They may have run under the trees thinking it was going to be a quick, light shower.

Or they could be complete morons. Since they bred, though, they aren't elegible for the Darwin Awards.

 

[Enceladus]

I guess you could say they had an electrified experience.

 

[Datt]

They actually made two mistakes. During a lightining storm you never want to be under a tree. Since lightining almost always hits the tallest thing around, there is a good chance it will hit a tree. Then said tree will fall, most likely on you. I know it sounds strange, but the best thing to do is lay flat down on the ground.

 

[WizarDru]

Ah, never mind.

People make mistakes, and lightning storms aren't exactly the most predictable of things to begin with.

 

[Thorntangle]

It's common enough advice not to go under a tree during a storm. Everyone should have that drilled into their skull from the time you see your first old safety film in school.

I feel really bad for their kids. I hope they're cared for, financially and emotionally.

I've heard that you have a moments notice before lightning strikes. Supposedly you can feel the ground's charge shift, a little tingle in the feet. If you're quick enough you could jump out of the way.

This will be great fodder for my anxiety. I'll have lightning-themed death-situation fantasies for weeks to come. Thanks, Media!

 

[Darklone]

Have you heard about that girl in the middle of a crowd at a rock concert who got killed by a lightning bolt? The stage and the towers and all stuff was much higher than her position.