Thunderstorms in the area at time of incident
TRI-CITY AREA — A day of exercise while gathering fire wood turned in to some tragic moments for two Metro Detroit men Sunday near Capac.
The two men were caught in a thunderstorm that produced lightning in the area, leading to one of the men being severely injured.
According to the St. Clair County Sheriff Department, around 2 p.m., deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office along with Tri Hospital EMS and the Brockway Township Fire Department responded to the area in the 8900 Block of Capac Rd. in Lynn Township, north of Capac.
St. Clair County Central Dispatch had received reports that one of the men had been struck by lightning.
During the investigation by deputies, they discovered a 58-year-old Clinton Township man along with a 62- year old Warren man were working in an open area, collecting firewood, when the 58-year-old was hit by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm that had moved into the area.
Rescue crews including police, fire and EMS responded to the scene to treat the injured man.
Deputies say the the 58-year-old was transported from the scene by Tri Hospital EMS to Marlette Regional Hospital for treatment.
He was later transferred to Hurley Medical Center in Flint with critical injuries consistent with being struck by lightning.
The 62-year-old man sustained minor injuries in the incident and was checked out by EMS on scene.
Deputies that responded to the scene reported there were localized heavy thunderstorms with periods of intermittent heavy rain in the area at the time of the incident.
