Man Dies After Being Struck By Lightning At Christie Pits Park

A man who sought refuge from heavy rain under a tree at a west end park was killed by a lightning strike during Tuesday evening’s thunderstorm.

The 28-year-old Kitchener man was found dead under a tree at Christie Pits Park at Bloor and Christie Streets just before 8pm, and the coroner confirmed Wednesday it was the high-voltage strike that ended his life. The victim’s name hasn’t been released.

A nearby resident said he saw the fatal incident happen.

“I saw lightning hit this tree in front of my house. [At] the base of the tree, there was lying a man. I went to see if he was okay. He was a different colour and his eyes were partly open,” Curtis Puncher outlined.

The man was reportedly sitting on the grass reading a book when the dark storm clouds rolled in and he moved to get out of the rain. Police believe he was killed when a bolt hit the tree he was standing under.

Authorities say it may serve as a grim reminder of what to do and what not to do in a storm.

“What Environment Canada is advising people to do is not to stand under trees, not to be in the highest point in a field, to seek shelter,” said Sgt. Rob Johnson of Toronto Police.

Experts say 430 lightning strikes hit the city during the storm and the chances of being hit by one of the powerful charges is about one in 300,000. Reports show that lightning kills at least one person a year in Canada.

Last month a man was struck by lightning at a Toronto area golf course and luckily, he survived.

Thunderstorm safety may be something we only need once in awhile, but it’s always good to brush up on your safety know-how just in case.

The best way to stay safe in a thunderstorm is to endure it indoors.  In light of that, you should avoid being caught out in one.  Do that by:

• Monitoring weather conditions
• Avoiding situations in which finding proper shelter would be difficult
• If you’re already out and about when a storm breaks, use the 30-30 rule: take appropriate shelter when you can count 30 seconds or fewer between lightning and thunder, and remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder.
• Shelter should be a well-constructed building.  Failing that, it should be a car or RV.

If you must weather a storm outside follow these tips, provided by Environment Canada:

• Avoid being the tallest object around
• Avoid being NEAR the tallest object around (e.g. a lone tree)
• Avoid being near objects that conduct an electrical charge (metal fence, power lines, golf clubs, fishing rod, etc.)
• Go deep into a stand of trees and find the lowest-lying area.
• Crouch down and protect your head.

If there are no trees or only solitary trees nearby, still look for the lowest lying area, crouch down and protect your head. Do not lie flat, as this increases your chances of being struck by lightning.