[Rhodes22-list] God, Darwin's Theory, and Lightning

[brad haslett]

Yes, people have been killed by lightning strikes on
sailboats but I'm still looking for articles, not
statistics.  In the meantime, here's and example of
something REALLY STUPID TO DO WHILE BOATING!


BETHESDA, MD--Lawyer N. Graves Thomas stood in a boat
during a thunderstorm on Monday, raised his hands and
proclaimed heavenward, "Here I am." Moments later a
lightning bolt struck him dead, witnesses said.

Authorities said they had no explanation for the
maverick lawyer's behavior, but friends and colleagues
said his actions before his death were typical of his
offbeat nature.
  Moments later a lightning bolt struck him dead. 

The lightning bolt struck Thomas in the head aboard
his new ski boat on Lake Bistineau. Death apparently
was instantaneous, as there was no exit point for the
lightning, said Bossier Parish sheriff's spokesman
Scott Hodges.

Witnesses said Thomas, 40, stood in the back of the
boat, raised his hands toward the sky and said, "Here
I am." The lightning bolt struck his head almost
momentarily.

AFTERWORD:

A week later, witnesses to Thomas' mortification
claimed that his meaning was misunderstood, and that
the lawyer was not directing a challenge to God, but
instead merely calling to his girlfriend.

As a former state prosecutor and assistant U.S.
attorney, Thomas' peers described him as a firebrand
and a maverick and a strong advocate for his often
notorious clients--including police killers, reputed
crime figures, accused white collar criminals and drug
smugglers. At the time of his death, Thomas was
representing a Lake Bistineau man accused of
recklessness in a boating accident that month that
killed three people on the lake.

Copyright © United Press International, May 27, 1987


 Brad Haslett
"CoraShen"
 


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