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Lightning strikes teen at Binder Lake
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A teenager was taken to University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital late this morning after apparently being struck by lightning while fishing at Binder Lake.
Officials said the 17-year-old boy was David McAdams, a Jefferson City High School student.
District spokesman David Luther said McAdams and some other teens had finished an informal cross-country run through Binder Park.
The lake is operated by the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department.
Parks Director Bill Lockwood said McAdams was among four people who were fishing along the shore when the incident occurred just after 9 a.m.
“We don't know if he got struck directly, but we were told he took a few steps and then collapsed,” Lockwood said. “This happened between the boat ramp area and a hill on the west side of the lake. The storms came quickly and they might not have been able to have seen them because of the tree line.”
Cole County Sheriff Greg White said eyewitnesses reported a citizen began performing CPR on the youth before crews from Regional West Fire Department and Capital Region Medical Center arrived on the scene.
McAdams first was taken to St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City, where he was listed in critical condition, before being transferred to Columbia.
Lockwood said the department has day camps at the lake and they were moved under shelters as the storms hit.
“The evening and late afternoon are the worst times,” he said. “We train our umpires and field supervisors to be vigilant when they see storms coming. We did shut down the pools Tuesday morning and canceled swim lessons.
“There's no scientifically accurate method to determine how close storms are and how fast they are moving when you're sitting outside,” Lockwood said. “We tell our folks that if they hear thunder and see lightning, to start thinking about moving out. We have people outside all the time and anyone can be at risk.”
Officials said the 17-year-old boy was David McAdams, a Jefferson City High School student.
District spokesman David Luther said McAdams and some other teens had finished an informal cross-country run through Binder Park.
The lake is operated by the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department.
Parks Director Bill Lockwood said McAdams was among four people who were fishing along the shore when the incident occurred just after 9 a.m.
“We don't know if he got struck directly, but we were told he took a few steps and then collapsed,” Lockwood said. “This happened between the boat ramp area and a hill on the west side of the lake. The storms came quickly and they might not have been able to have seen them because of the tree line.”
Cole County Sheriff Greg White said eyewitnesses reported a citizen began performing CPR on the youth before crews from Regional West Fire Department and Capital Region Medical Center arrived on the scene.
McAdams first was taken to St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City, where he was listed in critical condition, before being transferred to Columbia.
Lockwood said the department has day camps at the lake and they were moved under shelters as the storms hit.
“The evening and late afternoon are the worst times,” he said. “We train our umpires and field supervisors to be vigilant when they see storms coming. We did shut down the pools Tuesday morning and canceled swim lessons.
“There's no scientifically accurate method to determine how close storms are and how fast they are moving when you're sitting outside,” Lockwood said. “We tell our folks that if they hear thunder and see lightning, to start thinking about moving out. We have people outside all the time and anyone can be at risk.”
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the_bibiff wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:15 PM: