Accident Motorcyclist Killed by Lightning Strike in Phetchabun

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

An incident occurred in the early hours of the morning of 1 May, in Phetchabun province when a man riding a motorcycle was struck and killed by lightning. The victim was discovered lifeless at the scene, with his vehicle and belongings bearing the unmistakable marks of a lightning strike.

 

At approximately 06:10, the Ruamkatanyu Putai rescue foundation received a report of a fatal lightning strike involving a motorcyclist in Moo 6, Phu Nam Yot Subdistrict, Wichian Buri District. Emergency responders, including police from Phu Toei Police Station, medical staff from Wichian Buri Hospital, local leaders, and relatives of the deceased, were dispatched to the scene.

 

The incident took place on a concrete road within the Ruam Sap Village. Upon arrival, rescuers found a grey Honda Wave 100 motorcycle, registration number from Phetchabun, lying on the roadside. The body of the male rider, who was travelling alone, was found still on the fallen vehicle.

 

Visible burn marks on the concrete road and on the victim’s body indicated a direct lightning strike. Scattered around the site were fragments of a destroyed headlamp, often used for night hunting, as well as remnants of a plastic raincoat and the victim’s clothing, all of which had been torn apart by the lightning’s force. A bag carried by the deceased contained a significant number of frogs and small amphibians, suggesting that he had been out foraging during the early morning hours.

 

Local residents later reported that they had heard multiple thunderclaps and lightning strikes between 02:00 and 03:00, but were unaware that anyone had been harmed until a passer-by discovered the body around 06:00 and immediately alerted authorities.

 

After a joint on-site investigation by police, medical personnel, and the victim’s family, it was concluded that the cause of death was consistent with a lightning strike. The family raised no objections and accepted the incident as a tragic accident. 

 

The rescue foundation helped move the body to Ruam Sap Temple and assisted in cleaning and dressing the deceased in preparation for traditional funeral rites.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now 2025-05-02.

 

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

What are the chances of something like that happening? It's got to be like one in 17 million. The reality is when it's time for the Grim Reaper to come calling, there's nothing you can do, there's no such thing as a safe place, and there's no stopping him. 

 

 

[impulse]

32 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The reality is when it's time for the Grim Reaper to come calling, there's nothing you can do, there's no such thing as a safe place, and there's no stopping him. 

 

He'd be home with his loved ones had he been in a Faraday cage with seat belts instead of on a scooter.  

 

[Old Croc]

Have to be unlucky.

On monday I was sitting outside on the veranda watching the rain when lightning struck the road about 20- 30 meters away. The noise and shock was massive  and my body was tingling and shaking for some seconds  afterwards.

We had a violent storm the day before which damaged buildings, flattened crops, brought down trees and snapped off 2 concrete  electricity poles near our property.

Loei Province.

[dddave]

4 hours ago, Old Croc said:

Have to be unlucky.

On monday I was sitting outside on the veranda watching the rain when lightning struck the road about 20- 30 meters away. The noise and shock was massive  and my body was tingling and shaking for some seconds  afterwards.

We had a violent storm the day before which damaged buildings, flattened crops, brought down trees and snapped off 2 concrete  electricity poles near our property.

Loei Province.

I was on a golf course once when without any warning, a lightning bolt hit a large oak tree about 50 feet away.  The tree literally exploded, sending large wood splinters like shrapnel from a bomb.  In my group we were uninjured but definitely in shock.  A fellow in a nearby group had a large, nearly foot long splinter lodged in his thigh and had to be helicoptered to a hospital as they were concerned it might be close to the artery.

[connda]

7 minutes ago, dddave said:

I was on a golf course once when without any warning, a lightning bolt hit a large oak tree about 50 feet away.  The tree literally exploded, sending large wood splinters like shrapnel from a bomb.  In my group we were uninjured but definitely in shock.  A fellow in a nearby group had a large, nearly foot long splinter lodged in his thigh and had to be helicoptered to a hospital as they were concerned it might be close to the artery.

Lucky ya'll didn't get zapped by the ground Step Potential.

Interesting though - I thought that the tires of the motorcycle would act as an insulator.  Guess not.

[Georgealbert]

20 minutes ago, connda said:

Lucky ya'll didn't get zapped by the ground Step Potential.

Interesting though - I thought that the tires of the motorcycle would act as an insulator.  Guess not.

lightning has enough voltage to easily arc through several metres of air and rubber.
 

As stated above, what protects occupants in a vehicle, such as a car, is not the tyres but the metal body of the car, which acts like a Faraday cage, directing the electrical energy around the occupants and into the ground.

 

Looking at the other scene pictures, which are not suitable to post, the lightening possibly struck the headlamp he was wearing, from the head injuries/burns suffered.