Multiple People Struck By Lightning After Buccaneers Game Outside Raymond James Stadium
Seven people are reported to have been hit by lightning in the parking lot of the Raymond James Stadium following the Buccaneers-Packers game.
The storm rolled in just as the game ended, and the Weather Channel confirmed that lightning was responsible for sending the fans to the hospital.
#BREAKING: We’re working to confirm local reports of up to 9 ppl hit by #lightning at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/cvSwcvDK3i
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) December 21, 2014
According to Tampa Bay, Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Penny stated that there were no reports of fatal injuries.
Lightning struck the roof of an SUV and knocked numerous people to the ground, although no one was believed to have been hit directly. Tampa Fire Rescue said seven persons, men and women ranging in age from the early 20s to a man in his 70s, were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and were in stable condition.
“We were about 100 feet away from the car and we saw the pile of people lying around the car,” said Rick Halvorson, a Packers fan from Wisconsin who owns the SUV. “It was loud, very loud.”
The incident happened in parking lot 14 on the north side of the stadium after the Buccaneers lost to the Green Bay Packers 20-3. Some of the victims were taken to the nearby St. Joseph’s Hospital — and there were reportedly four or five persons who stated that they would seek medical attention on their own.
Chris Fischer of WTSP 10 News in Tampa shared a photo from the scene, revealing damage to a nearby car from the lightning.
Lightning strike outside Raymond James Stadium cracking the glass on this roof #10News pic.twitter.com/1bT47ieg4Z
— Chris Fischer (@ChrisFischer07) December 21, 2014
Electrical storms and large crowds are always a potent, threatening mix. Two years ago, one fan was killed and nine more were injured when lightning struck the crowd just after a NASCAR race in Pocono, Pennsylvania
