Rhino
07-10-2006, 12:29 PM
Man Struck By Lightning While In Car
By JULIE PACE The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jul 10, 2006
TAMPA - Raymond Galusha thought he knew the rules when it came to lightning.
When Galusha, 51, got caught in a storm while driving Saturday night, he followed one of those rules. He turned off his car and stayed in his vehicle.
That strategy didn't work.
Galusha was struck by a bolt of lightning while sitting in a line of cars, waiting for a train to cross U.S. 41 in Gibsonton.
About 7:15 p.m., lightning hit the train's engine. The bolt jumped from the train to a pickup truck parked in front of Galusha, then to the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird in which he sat.
The lightning stuck Galusha on his left hand, which was hanging out of an open window, resting on the car's metal frame.
Galusha was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was released Sunday afternoon. With the exception of singed hair on his arm and back, and a numb tongue, Galusha escaped unharmed.
When he felt the power of the lightning strike, however, Galusha expected the outcome to be far worse.
"I didn't think I was going to make it," he said. The lightning "actually grabs you and holds you."
After not being able to see, speak or move for about 30 seconds, Galusha said he drove about a half mile to the home where he is staying with friends.........http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB797G6GPE.html?imw=Y
By JULIE PACE The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jul 10, 2006
TAMPA - Raymond Galusha thought he knew the rules when it came to lightning.
When Galusha, 51, got caught in a storm while driving Saturday night, he followed one of those rules. He turned off his car and stayed in his vehicle.
That strategy didn't work.
Galusha was struck by a bolt of lightning while sitting in a line of cars, waiting for a train to cross U.S. 41 in Gibsonton.
About 7:15 p.m., lightning hit the train's engine. The bolt jumped from the train to a pickup truck parked in front of Galusha, then to the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird in which he sat.
The lightning stuck Galusha on his left hand, which was hanging out of an open window, resting on the car's metal frame.
Galusha was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was released Sunday afternoon. With the exception of singed hair on his arm and back, and a numb tongue, Galusha escaped unharmed.
When he felt the power of the lightning strike, however, Galusha expected the outcome to be far worse.
"I didn't think I was going to make it," he said. The lightning "actually grabs you and holds you."
After not being able to see, speak or move for about 30 seconds, Galusha said he drove about a half mile to the home where he is staying with friends.........http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB797G6GPE.html?imw=Y