Lightning strike kills 1 soldier, injures 9 others at Fort Gordon Army base in Georgia
AUGUSTA, Ga. — One soldier was killed and nine others injured after a lightning strike Wednesday at Fort Gordon, a U.S. Army base in eastern Georgia.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael D. Clark, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, was identified Thursday as the lone fatal victim. He was assigned to 933rd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Company, 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support).
Clark, 41, served in the Army and U.S. Army Reserve for more than 22 years, deploying four times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a release from the U.S. Army Reserve.
“The 933rd FRSD family is devastated by the loss of our brother, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Clark," said Maj. Stephen W. Rhinehart, commander of the 933rd. "Sgt. 1st Clark was a loving husband, father, and a patriot who deeply loved our country. His leadership, knowledge, experience, and love for his fellow Soldiers was immeasurable."
WEATHER, EXPLAINED: What exactly happens during a thunderstorm? What to know about thunder, lightning and more.
Seven of the injured soldiers remained in good condition and one has been treated and released, according to the release.
At 11:10 a.m., Fort Gordon Range Control reported that 10 soldiers "sustained injuries associated with a lightning strike" at one of its training areas, according to a news release.
Fort Gordon is located near Augusta, about 140 miles east of Atlanta.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia lightning strike kills 1, injures 9 at Army's Fort Gordon
