The Man Who Was Struck by Lightning Seven Times
The Unbelievable Survival Story of Roy Cleveland Sullivan
Roy Cleveland Sullivan, a United States park ranger in Shenandoah National Park, holds the record for surviving the most lightning strikes. Born on February 7, 1912, in Greene County, Virginia, Sullivan became known as the "Human Lightning Rod" due to his incredible and terrifying encounters with one of nature’s most powerful forces. Over a span of 35 years, Sullivan was struck by lightning an astonishing seven times, each incident leaving him with injuries but miraculously alive.
Sullivan’s first brush with lightning occurred in April 1942 while he was working in a fire lookout tower. The tower was newly built and had no lightning rod at the time. During a thunderstorm, lightning struck the tower multiple times, setting it ablaze. As Sullivan tried to escape, he was struck by a bolt that hit his leg, tore off his toenail, and left him with severe burns. This harrowing experience was just the beginning of his encounters with lightning.
Nearly three decades later, in July 1969, Sullivan experienced his second strike while driving a truck. Lightning hit two trees on opposite sides of the road and then jumped to his truck, knocking him unconscious. The strike burned off his eyebrows and eyelashes and left his hair smoldering. Despite the severity of the incident, Sullivan once again survived, albeit with new scars and an increasing wariness of thunderstorms.
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The third strike came a year later in July 1970 while he was in his front yard. The lightning bolt hit a nearby power transformer and from there, jumped to his shoulder, searing it. At this point, Sullivan began to feel as though he was being specifically targeted by the forces of nature, a belief that would only be reinforced with subsequent strikes.
In 1972, while working inside a ranger station, lightning struck Sullivan once more. This time, it set his hair on fire, and he used a wet towel to extinguish the flames. The frequency of these incidents began to attract widespread attention, and Sullivan's colleagues and friends started to view him as a human lightning rod.
The fifth strike occurred on August 7, 1973. Sullivan was out on patrol in the park when he saw a storm cloud forming. Sensing danger, he tried to outrun the storm but was struck once again. This bolt moved down his left arm and leg, knocking off his shoe, and then crossed his right leg, resulting in another burn. Despite the pain and fear, Sullivan refused to let these experiences deter him from his duties.
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In June 1976, while he was checking a campsite, the sixth strike hit him. It injured his ankle and caused more burns. At this point, Sullivan started carrying a can of water with him, just in case his hair caught fire again. He became increasingly paranoid, feeling that lightning was stalking him.
The seventh and final strike came on June 25, 1977, while Sullivan was fishing in a freshwater pool. Lightning struck the top of his head, setting his hair on fire once more, traveled down, and burned his chest and stomach. Despite the shock and injuries, Sullivan managed to crawl to his car and pour water over his head to extinguish the flames.
Throughout his life, Sullivan faced other dangers beyond lightning. He survived a bear attack and was known for his rugged resilience and dedication to his work as a park ranger. He retired from the National Park Service in 1976 after 36 years of service, but the legacy of his incredible lightning encounters continued to follow him.
Roy Sullivan passed away on September 28, 1983, at the age of 71. His death was ruled a suicide, and some speculated that his lifelong struggle with lightning and the fear it instilled in him might have contributed to his despair. Sullivan’s story remains a fascinating and sobering reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the extraordinary experiences that can mark a person's life.
Today, Roy Sullivan's record of surviving seven lightning strikes is still unmatched. His life, marked by these extraordinary encounters, stands as a testament to human endurance and the sheer unpredictability of the natural world. His story continues to captivate and intrigue those who hear it, a true tale of survival against seemingly insurmountable odds.
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