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It was reported today that a 45-year old rider was struck by lightning and killed while riding down I-95 in Florida this past weekend. He was wearing a helmet.
There was a similar occurrence near Boulder, Colorado, about a decade ago, and likely more incidents since then.
Weather isn't always avoidable but if you see lightning, it's probably best to get off the bike and seek shelter.
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https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-motorc...d=63601529
A motorcyclist died in Florida after he was struck by lightning and crashed on a major highway, authorities said.
The 45-year-old man was riding his motorcycle southbound on Interstate 95 in east-central Florida's Volusia County on Sunday afternoon when a lightning strike hit his helmet, causing him to veer off the roadway and crash. He didn't survive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
An off-duty Virginia State Police trooper reportedly witnessed the lightning strike and the resulting crash, authorities told Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV.
The Florida Highway Patrol posted an image on social media showing the remnants of the man's helmet.
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i dunno...post that story on r/motorcycles and the community there will claim he wasn't holding his jaw right or wasn't in the right gear or something.
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what must happen that a helmet looks like this after ?
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This will go down as a motorcyclist killed in a crash. Not because of a lightning strike.
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That's some really bad luck, and so sad. Condolences to his family.
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Sad, indeed. Condolences to the family.
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Yes, unfortunate indeed.
I don't even think a Faraday cage would have helped. The amount of nearby energy being discharged still would have been enough to startle any rider off their bike.
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I got zapped in 1988, luckily while I was stopped in traffic. Fortunately, the main bolt hit a guard rail about 8 ft. away. A splinter bolt hit the top of my helmet and exited through my palms and the soles of my feet (leaving some minor burns). I was blinded for a few minutes, but eventually was able to ride the few miles home. It took a day or so for my hearing to get back to normal and the tingling in my arms and legs to stop. I learned a healthy respect for thunderstorms that day. When lightning starts getting close, I run for cover.
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Wow that's crazy flyn. Glad you weren't hurt badly.