Roy Sullivan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roy Cleveland Sullivan (February 7, 1912–September 28, 1983)[1][2] was a U.S. park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.[2][3] Sullivan was hit by lightning on seven different occasions and survived all of them.[2][3] In his lifetime he gained "Human Lightning Conductor" as a nickname.[4] On September 28, 1983, Sullivan died at age 71, by committing suicide,[1][2] reportedly distraught over an unrequited love.[5] Two of his ranger hats are on display at two Guinness World Exhibit Halls in New York City and South Carolina.[4] There is a road side plaque for Sullivan on Tanner's Ridge in Page County, Virginia.[citation needed]
[edit] The seven lightning strikes
- 1942: Sullivan was hit for the first time when he was in a fire lookout tower.[3] The lightning bolt struck him in the leg and he lost a nail on his big toe.[4]
- 1969: The second bolt hit him in his truck when he was driving on a mountain road.[3] It knocked him unconscious and burned his eyebrows.[4]
- 1970: The third strike burned his left shoulder[4] while in his front yard.[3]
- 1972: The next hit happened in a ranger station.[3] The strike set his hair on fire. After that, he began to carry a pitcher of water with him.[4]
- August 7, 1973: A lightning bolt hit Sullivan on the head, blasted him out of his car, and again set his hair on fire.[4]
- June 5, 1976: Sullivan was struck by the sixth bolt in a campground,[3] injuring his ankle.[1] It was reported that he saw a cloud, thought that it was following him, tried to run away, but was still struck.[3]
- June 25, 1977: The seventh and final lightning bolt hit him when he was fishing.[3] Sullivan was hospitalized for burns on his chest and stomach. [4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Astrology Weekly: Roy Sullivan". http://www.astrologyweekly.com/natal-charts/roy-sullivan-lightning-strikes.php. Retrieved on 2006-12-04.
- ^ a b c d "The New York Times Archives: Roy Sullivan". 1983. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9406E5D61F38F933A0575AC0A965948260. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cecil Adams (2006). "The Straight Dope: Have people actually survived being hit by lightning multiple times?". http://www.straightdope.com/columns/061201.html. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Stephen Wagner. "The REAL X-Men". About Paranormal Phenomena. http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa072400a.htm. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ Majendie, Paul (2007). "Guinness -- weird, wonderful and wacky abound" (Online). Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL2689325320070926?sp=true. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
