Lightning strike kills 1 soldier, injures 9 others at Fort Gordon. Here's what we know

Kim Luciani, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read

A lightning strike at Fort Gordon Wednesday resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to nine others.

Here's what we know:

Late Wednesday morning, Fort Gordon officials reported that soldiers were injured during a lightning strike at a training area on the military installation.

Fort Gordon's Department of Emergency Services and Emergency Medical Services responded immediately, but one of the soldiers died from his injuries, according to Fort Gordon spokesperson Anne Bowman.

Were the soldiers identified?

The decedent was identified Thursday by the U.S. Army Reserve as Springfield, Massachusetts native Sgt. 1st Class Michael D. Clark.

Clark, a 22-year military veteran, had served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was assigned to 933rd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Company, 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), according to the U.S. Army Reserve.

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Eight of the injured soldiers remain in good condition at Fort Gordon's Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center and one was treated and released, according to the U.S. Army Reserve.

Where is Fort Gordon located?

The Fort Gordon U.S. Army military installation is located in Georgia, just a few minutes southeast of Augusta and 139 miles from Atlanta.

What is Fort Gordon, Georgia?

Fort Gordon, Georgia, is one of the world's largest U.S. Army military installations. It is home to the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Cyber Command and Cyber Center of Excellence.

More than 17,000 soldiers and nearly 11,000 civilian personnel are employed at Fort Gordon, according to a U.S. Department of Defense website.

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Lightning safety tips

Here are some points to consider when lightning is near:

  • If you hear thunder, go indoors. If you hear thunder, you’re within striking distance of lightning.

  • Always check the weather when you’re going to be outside for a long period of time. Have a plan for seeking shelter.

  • Indoors, stay away from all electrical appliances, lighting, electric sockets and plumbing. If no secure shelter is available, a vehicle is a potential second choice — but avoid touching the steering wheel, ignition or radio. The metal is what makes the car or truck safe, not its rubber tires.

  • As a last resort, if you're trapped with no shelter option, avoid open fields and beaches, trees and light poles. Avoid metal fences and bleachers and unprotected open buildings such as pavilions.

  • If someone is struck, call 911, begin first aid and CPR if you’re trained. Use an automatic external defibrillator if available.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Soldier killed by Fort Gordon GA lightning strike named. What we know