Colorado lightning: stories from Boulder

August 16, 2009 · Posted by in Lists 

Sometimes a lightning storm at night seems like the perfect end to a day — a free show and sounds that we’ve come to know as soothing, for whatever reason. But every year, Boulder gives us plenty of reasons to fear lightning, and here are a couple for the next time you find yourself staring out at a spectacular lightning show.

Horse named after Heath Ledger killed by lightning

LONGMONT, Colo. — A horse was struck and killed by lightning Thursday, August 6, 2009, at the Colorado Horse Rescue farm in Longmont.

The horse, named “Ledger” after actor Heath Ledger, was scheduled to be adopted next week. The animal was struck as students were taking a class on natural horsemanship at the farm, according to a Colorado Horse Rescue news release.

The students saw the lightning hit the horse, but by the time they reached Ledger, he was already dead. Veterinarian services were called.

Hildy Armour, executive director of Colorado Horse Rescue, said Ledger was a popular horse.

According to the release, horses are susceptible to lightning strikes because of their heavy muscles and large bones. Ledger was also standing next to an electric fence at the time of the strike.

–Jean Spencer

Cyclist hit by lightning still plans to compete in Ironman

BOULDER, Colo. — A 44-year-old bicyclist struck by lightning north of Boulder has been released from the hospital and hopes to compete in an Ironman triathlon at the end of the month.

Terri Menghini, who was traveling along North Foothills Highway, said she had completed 78 miles of a 100-mile training ride when a lightning bolt struck her Monday, August 3, 2009, causing her to lose consciousness and crash her bike.

Menghini suffered from temporary paralysis in her upper body, lost her vision for about three hours and experienced irregular heartbeats from the lightning. She also had road burn along her back and left side, bruised ribs and had cracked her helmet during the crash.

But Menghini said she is determined to get back on her bike and continue her triathlon training.

“This is not a setback,” said Menghini, who has run 51 marathons. “I still want to do the Ironman on Aug. 30.”

Menghini, who is from St. Louis, Mo., but stays in Estes Park every summer, was treated at Boulder Community Hospital and released Tuesday. She was disappointed when doctors said she couldn’t compete in a Boulder half-triathlon Sunday, and — though she still has a tingling sensation in her right arm — she says she will resume training Monday.

“I’m an athlete, and I always have been,” she said. “I don’t think this will stop me.”

–Jean Spencer

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