Lightning — Culpeper, Virginia

1999-04-04 · near Jeffersonton, Culpeper, Virginia

Event narrative

Man struck by lightning on golf course

Wider weather episode

Around 4:00 PM EDT, a 37year-old man was struck by lightning on the South Wales Golf Course near Jeffersonton in extreme northern Culpeper County. A line of thunderstorms producing heavy downpours crossed Northern Virginia during the afternoon and was responsible for the fatal bolt of lightning. The victim was standing under a cedar tree on the 17th hold to take refuge from the thunderstorm when the lightning struck. The bolt hit the tree first, then hit the victim in the head and stopped his heart. A witness said the lightning apparently exited the tree near the base, citing burn marks visible on the trunk inches from the surface and around 5 1/2 feet above the ground. The victim was discovered around 4:10 PM by golfers returning to the course. Emergency medical personnel reached the victim around 4:20 PM EDT and were able to restore vital signs, but the victim died around 11:00 PM EDT after his heart failed for a second time. This was Virginia's first known April lightning fatality.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5695092. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.