A long-distance runner has been killed in a lightning strike while he ran a 50km (31 mile) race.
Thomas Stanley, 33, was near the finish line when he was fatally struck in the freak accident in Kansas, his family and race organisers confirmed.
Fellow athletes, including a doctor, attempted to revive Mr Stanley using CPR, while others tried to get spectators and runners out of the storm.
Mr Stanley's family said in a statement he was a "devoted husband, father, and friend" and they were "devastated".
His wife Ashley paid tribute to her husband in a post on Facebook, saying he "went to be with Jesus":
"My heart hurts and I feel sick to my stomach. I had 15 blessed years of knowing my best friend and I was planning to have 79. Please keep our family in your prayers."
Her post has attracted over 3,000 reactions, with more than 1,000 people paying their condolences in the comments section.
One of the race organisers, director Carolyn Robinson, said the storm had arrived in the area "without warning" and Mr Stanley had been struck "the moment the storm blew in".
"A lot of the participants who were there tending to him are having a very hard time dealing with this loss," she said. "They did everything they could."
Organisers said in a Facebook post that Mr Stanley had been included in the race's final results - although he did not cross the finish line, he completed the full distance of the race.
Results show Mr Stanley was 11th out of 104 racers.
Ms Robinson said Mrs Stanley was presented with a finisher award, which her husband would have received.
The victim worked for a non-profit organisation called the Kansas Leadership Centre, focusing on interfaith leadership development.
He leaves behind his wife and their three children, the oldest aged six.
WHEN ON WEB VIEW, SEE OUR TOP LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BAR FOR LIVE STREAM NEWS CHANNELS (GLOBAL AND NIGERIAN )
FOLLOW US ON:
Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner)
WHEN ON WEB VIEW, SEE OUR TOP LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BAR FOR LIVE STREAM NEWS CHANNELS (GLOBAL AND NIGERIAN )
FOLLOW US ON:
> The Forefront on Twitter
>{Instagram: the_forefront_nigeria }
Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner)
Share this post now with others on social media. Use media options below.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer!!! Opinions expressed in comments do not represent THE FOREFRONT MEDIA NG's views. All participants are entitled to their opinions. Thank you!!!
Advertise on the Forefront: For advert placement in the blog or advert posts like news updates, reach +2348124620827 [WhatsApp].
Copyright 2023 The Forefront Media Ng. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from The Forefront Media Ng