Motorcyclist zapped on head by lightning on freeway ..... and kept going !!!

Motofool · September 7th, 2013, 07:36 AM

Florida is the World's capital of lightning.
Last week, two men were hit while feeling protected under a truck and one of then died.
Looking for similar events, I have found this peculiar news from Lewis County, State of Washington, copied from the link below:

Motorcyclist zapped on head by lightning on freeway at Chehalis
Thursday, September 5, 2013

CHEHALIS – A 59-year-old Tenino man was struck by lightning this morning as he was traveling on his motorcycle up Interstate 5 at Chehalis.

A man and his wife who were behind him saw the flash and stopped to help.

“I was behind him in my truck, the lightning came down and lit up his helmet,” Martin Zapalac said.

At first Zapalac wondered if he imagined it, but then saw the motorcyclist lean forward and move to the shoulder.

The couple had the man follow him to the AM/PM off 13th Street, where arriving firefighters and paramedics checked him out.

It happened about 9:20 a.m., just north of the LaBree Road interchange.

Medics checked his vital signs and found he had some burns on the side of his head, although minor, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

“He seemed to suffer some hearing damage as well,” Fire Capt. Kevin Curfman said.

The man was conscious and talking, and alert enough he got out of the ambulance to try to arrange who could drive his bike to a spot for safe keeping.

He was transported by ambulance to Providence Centralia Hospital.

Zapalac said the man’s hair was burned and the inside of his helmet was messed up, but he didn’t quite seem to understand how seriously he could be hurt.

He took off his helmet and asked, “Why am I parked by the side of the road,” Zapalac said.

“I’ve never seen it strike quite that close,” Zapalac said. “It was a good strike too, cause I felt the concussion in my truck … when the thunder came.”

http://www.lewiscountysirens.com/?p=20976

Have you had any close encounter with lightning while riding?
If so, share your story.

Asspire · September 7th, 2013, 08:05 AM

I ride rain or shine, never let rain stop me.

Now I'm going to think twice about it.

greenaero · September 7th, 2013, 09:36 AM

Wow, very lucky for him. I got caught riding in a sudden lightning storm while riding my bike back home to CA from KY in the CO mountains. It was almost like being shelled in a war zone. I got off at the next exit and waited out the storm.

Alex · September 7th, 2013, 09:46 AM

The guy who got hit in Washington is well known in the LD riding community, as a complete a**hole. Felon, registered sex offender, the works. Some are saying that this was the first helping of karma.

dfox · September 7th, 2013, 09:48 AM

i'll ride in rain, but wait for thunderstorms to pass. thankfully they're short lived around here.

cars are safer because of the large metal cage around you. motorcycles, not so much.

Motofool · September 7th, 2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

The guy who got hit in Washington is well known in the LD riding community, as a complete a**hole. Felon, registered sex offender, the works. Some are saying that this was the first helping of karma.

Maybe he doesn't meet Hell's acceptance criteria.

NevadaWolf · September 7th, 2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Maybe he doesn't meet Hell's acceptance criteria.

:snerk: is it wrong I find that so funny?

Bob2010 · September 7th, 2013, 10:39 AM

I find this very shocking...

csmith12 · September 7th, 2013, 10:57 AM

Alex · September 7th, 2013, 11:00 AM

Boom King · September 7th, 2013, 01:38 PM

Wonder if he's an AC/DC fan...

Link to original page on YouTube.

KawiKid860 · September 7th, 2013, 08:59 PM

Scary thing for me was the same day I saw this on PNW riders, I had to drop my bike off at the shop for a tire change. It started lightninging pretty much right as I left.. thankfully I just barely beat the storm there lol and didn't get struck! I was wearing the tire around my waist though not sure what kind of lightning protection that would have given me...

BikersPOV · September 8th, 2013, 01:24 AM

Harry Potter?

parox91 · September 9th, 2013, 07:35 AM

heard about this on the radio this morning, ****ing BOSS.

edit: nvm about what i said. this dude should've died. thanks alex for the info

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

The guy who got hit in Washington is well known in the LD riding community, as a complete a**hole. Felon, registered sex offender, the works. Some are saying that this was the first helping of karma.

September 7th, 2013, 07:36 AM	#1
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Motorcyclist zapped on head by lightning on freeway ..... and kept going !!! Florida is the World's capital of lightning. Last week, two men were hit while feeling protected under a truck and one of then died. Looking for similar events, I have found this peculiar news from Lewis County, State of Washington, copied from the link below: Motorcyclist zapped on head by lightning on freeway at Chehalis Thursday, September 5, 2013 CHEHALIS – A 59-year-old Tenino man was struck by lightning this morning as he was traveling on his motorcycle up Interstate 5 at Chehalis. A man and his wife who were behind him saw the flash and stopped to help. “I was behind him in my truck, the lightning came down and lit up his helmet,” Martin Zapalac said. At first Zapalac wondered if he imagined it, but then saw the motorcyclist lean forward and move to the shoulder. The couple had the man follow him to the AM/PM off 13th Street, where arriving firefighters and paramedics checked him out. It happened about 9:20 a.m., just north of the LaBree Road interchange. Medics checked his vital signs and found he had some burns on the side of his head, although minor, according to the Chehalis Fire Department. “He seemed to suffer some hearing damage as well,” Fire Capt. Kevin Curfman said. The man was conscious and talking, and alert enough he got out of the ambulance to try to arrange who could drive his bike to a spot for safe keeping. He was transported by ambulance to Providence Centralia Hospital. Zapalac said the man’s hair was burned and the inside of his helmet was messed up, but he didn’t quite seem to understand how seriously he could be hurt. He took off his helmet and asked, “Why am I parked by the side of the road,” Zapalac said. “I’ve never seen it strike quite that close,” Zapalac said. “It was a good strike too, cause I felt the concussion in my truck … when the thunder came.” http://www.lewiscountysirens.com/?p=20976 Have you had any close encounter with lightning while riding? If so, share your story. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

September 7th, 2013, 09:36 AM	#3
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Wow, very lucky for him. I got caught riding in a sudden lightning storm while riding my bike back home to CA from KY in the CO mountains. It was almost like being shelled in a war zone. I got off at the next exit and waited out the storm.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

September 7th, 2013, 09:46 AM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	The guy who got hit in Washington is well known in the LD riding community, as a complete a*hole. Felon, registered sex offender, the works. Some are saying that this was the first helping of karma. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)*

September 7th, 2013, 10:39 AM	#8
Bob2010 ninjette.org sage Name: Bob Location: NY Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 730	I find this very shocking... __________________________________________________ 2010 Red Ninja 250 2009 Black Ninja 250 -If you ride like lightning,you're gonna crash like thunder-

September 7th, 2013, 10:57 AM	#9
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	__________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

September 7th, 2013, 08:05 AM	#2
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	I ride rain or shine, never let rain stop me. Now I'm going to think twice about it.

September 7th, 2013, 09:48 AM	#5
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	i'll ride in rain, but wait for thunderstorms to pass. thankfully they're short lived around here. cars are safer because of the large metal cage around you. motorcycles, not so much.

September 7th, 2013, 11:00 AM	#10
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	__________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 7th, 2013, 01:38 PM	#11
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Wonder if he's an AC/DC fan... Link to original page on YouTube.

September 7th, 2013, 08:59 PM	#12
KawiKid860 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Murphey Location: Eastern Washington Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.	Scary thing for me was the same day I saw this on PNW riders, I had to drop my bike off at the shop for a tire change. It started lightninging pretty much right as I left.. thankfully I just barely beat the storm there lol and didn't get struck! I was wearing the tire around my waist though not sure what kind of lightning protection that would have given me...
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

September 8th, 2013, 01:24 AM	#13
BikersPOV ninjette.org member Name: Seiken Location: London Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 53	Harry Potter? __________________________________________________ I like my Froggie! BikersPOV on Facebook; BikersPOV on Youtube

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