Lightning strike kills teen during Wisconsin storm

[undeterred]

Associated Press
Last update: July 8, 2008 - 9:51 AM

MILWAUKEE - Severe storms produced at least one tornado and a lightning strike that killed a teenager as they swept across southeastern Wisconsin on Monday.

Ben Richter, 16, was struck by lightning at his family's farm in the Town of Watertown about 8:30 p.m. Monday. He was taken by ambulance to Watertown Memorial Hospital, where he later died, hospital spokeswoman Jacklynn Lesniak said Tuesday.

Richter was a high honor student and three sport athlete at Watertown High School, according to a statement from his family.

Green Lake County's emergency manager concluded a weak tornado caused damage that included a roof partially blown off a home southeast of Markesan, the National Weather Service said Monday.

There were widespread reports of trees knocked down by winds and power lines damaged, resulting in temporary outages. The weather service said gusts estimated at 60 to 70 mph west of La Valle in Sauk County nearly blew a truck off the road.

In Pewaukee, another lightning strike started a fire that did $30,000 in damage to a condominium. No one was injured.

http://www.startribune.com/local/24063289.html?location_refer=Homepage:latestNews:4

[sybylla]

1. Damn. Far too young for that and a crappy way to go to boot.

Had a cousin die the same way in the 50's working on his family farm. All they found of him was his watch and one of his boots (at least that's all they told the family). Left behind a wife and young children, too.

RIP Ben Richter.

[undeterred]

2. He was with his family on the farm when it happened.

I imagine he was badly burned. How terrifically unlucky.