Triumph turned to
tragedy in seconds Sunday at Pocono Raceway, when lightning killed one fan and injured
nine others just minutes after Jeff Gordon’s rain-shortened win in the
Pennsylvania 400.
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The unidentified
41-year old man was one of nine people struck just after 5 pm ET. He was
transported to Pocono Mountain Medical Center in Stroudsburg, and pronounced
dead on arrival. Another fan is listed in critical condition at Lehigh Hospital
in Allentown, with others were treated for less-serious injuries at various
local hospitals.
Pocono Raceway Vice
President Bob Pleban said the injuries occurred as a result of two separate
strikes. The most serious, behind the track’s main grandstand, caused the
fatality and eight other injuries. A tenth victim was reportedly struck near Gate
3 at the speedway, between the first and second turns.
Pleban said the track
warned fans of impending severe weather on its public address system, adding, “We
made every effort to inform everyone.” The track also used social media to warn
fans of potential dangerous weather approaching, warning them to seek shelter from
anticipated heavy winds, lightning, rain and hail.
Before learning of
the fatality, race-winner Jeff Gordon said he was concerned for a group of fans
who ignored warnings and remained in the grandstands as the severe weather hit.
"When we were
going back to the garage area, there was a group of fans chanting up there that
were not leaving. We were walking down pit road (and) the umbrellas weren't
doing any good. There was a huge, huge crack from lightning. You could tell it
was very close.
"The fans here
are so loyal and avid," Gordon said. "It's just so unfortunate… you hate
to hear something like that. Our thoughts are with them. I hope everything is
OK."
The Pocono Record reported that race fans
performed CPR on the 41-year old victim until paramedics arrived. Decisions on
how to handle potentially dangerous weather are made by NASCAR and track officials,
working in cooperation with local emergency services.
Photo Credit: Kevin
Mingora/The Morning Call
Tragic news. My thoughts go out to the families.
ReplyDeleteThere is such a rush to blame someone when tragedy occurs. Mother nature is the hardest of women to read. People have to use common sense. And even then occationally it doesn't work. I had a cousing killed by lightning 20 minutes before there was a cloud in the sky to be seen and it was bright sun. Just a freak accident.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree "Mother Nature" Can be wicked. and people do need to use common sense. I have been to alot of NASCAR tracks and Dirt tracks included I know that track officials try their best to keep fans safe. Fans just need to pay attention and like u said use COMMON SENSE!!!!!
DeleteSorry to hear about a fan who died from this. I was happy to hear that Gordon won the race. But I know this storm came fast, but wish people would take cover as soon as it happens. There have been many people recently getting stuck by lightning. I hope the others who were hurt recover quickly. RIP and so sad to hear about this.
ReplyDeleteMy heart and that of Nascar Nation goes out to the family of the 41 year old victim.
ReplyDeletemy heart goes out to his family and friends.
ReplyDelete