Cast Member struck by lightning....

[Doctor McKey]

I dont have much on the details... but yesterday ( Aug. 1 ) we had a sever storm come accross property with multiple cloud to ground strikes on property.

A female cast member was walking to her car during the storm and opened her umbrella up. a bolt of lightning struck her umbrella and shocked her. Reports that I have heard state that she survived and will be ok.

The Doctor

-=-Lightning Facts-=-
* The maximum distance you can hear thunder is as short as two (2) miles and seldom exceeds twelve (12) miles.

* The average lightning bolt is 6-8 miles long and can easily travel 25 to 40 miles horizontally prior to turning downward toward the ground.

* The temperature of lightning's return stroke is (5) five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

* The energy contained in a single lightning stroke can power a 100 Watt light bulb for 90 days, which is equivalent to 215 kWh (kilo-Watt hours).

* A lightning flash is composed of a series of strokes from about 3 to 20, with an average of about four. The duration of each lightning stroke can vary, but typically average about 30 microseconds. (The average peak power per stroke is about 1012 watts.

* Typically, more than 2,000 thunderstorms are active throughout the world at a given moment, producing on the order of 100 flashes per second.

[Freak]

Back in '06 when I worked at Knott's we had a freak Summer Thunderstorm pass through the area. I was the middle of testing Screamin' Swing and was told to go down...Everyone was told to go down. Even the railroad and Mine Ride.

Soak City was in the process of opening/testing as well. They were told to suspend opening procedures (we didn't know if it was going to be an all day storm) as well. One of the lifeguards was heading for cover when....

ZAP! Struck by lightning. She was too close to one of the pools/metal structures, and got a blast from up above.

Luckily, she survived, but it was scary news. Anyways, just reminded me of my experience. If you don't have to be, stay inside as much as possible if there's lightning around! Hope the CM is okay and didn't suffer any permanent or lasting injuries/burns.

[Kifaru]

Kid was lucky. When Betsy was struck in 2003, she was killed instantly, and on stage in view of guests.

[Amphigorey]

Who was Betsy?

[joanna71985]

Who was Betsy?

I believe one of the giraffes

[Kifaru]

yes, Betsy was a giraffe.