Motorcyclist Struck by Lightning on I5

Be careful out there, guys! Depending on where you are, the weather is changing rapidly and it’s been kind of a doozy for riding. In the Pacific Northwest for the last couple weeks you could ride your bike down to meet some friends at a restaurant and it’ll have been sunny and 75° fahrenheit (~23.9° celsius) all day- you’ll walk out an hour and a half later and it’ll be pouring buckets with thunder and lightning!

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A 60 y/o motorcyclist was struck by lightning this morning around 9:30a on the I5 freeway in Chehalis, Washington. The amazing part is that the rider is mostly okay. There was some damage to his helmet (pictures following).

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Martin Zapalac was traveling some car lengths behind the motorcyclist when “All of a sudden him and his bike lit up, I felt when the thunder came — I felt the concussion of it — it was a pretty good jolt.” 

The rider pulled over to the side of the road, and being a concerned citizen Martin checked on him. He was able to speak but his hair was singed, was disoriented, and had some hearing loss. They got the motorcyclist to a hospital and he is recovering. 

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Reports say the rider is still doing well. 

(Photo credits: Seattle Lightning by Jason Foster on flickr, Helmet damage photos from Washington State Patrol)

Source: Komo News

Posted on September 5, 2013 in Motorcycles by

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