Earth Changes

Burning rubber: Lightning strike kills couple on bike in Maharashtra, India

Times of India
Sat, 19 Sep 2020 18:13 UTC

In a freak incident, a couple was electrocuted after being struck by lightning while returning to Paradgaon village on a bike from Bramhapuri on Friday evening.

The victims have been identified as Pintu Raut, 30, and his wife Gunjan, 26. The duo had gone to Bramhapuri for some work and was returning when lightning struck them near Bhagwati Rice Mill in Udapur village. The duo was thrown from the bike after the impact and died on the spot.

Pintu's body was found near the bike by the roadside, while his Gunjan's body was lying on road.

The police have registered a case and are investigating.

Comment: Also in India 2 woman were killed by a bolt in Tamil Nadu on Sept.17 while a total of 5 individuals were also fatally hit by strikes on the same day in Jharkhand.

Reader Comments

Rowan Cocoan · 2020-09-19T19:39:03Z

I wonder whether they were 'on' the bike at that instant. Rubber tires provide significant insulation. (Could have been riding through a puddle though.)

R.C.

Rick Pisces · 2020-09-20T17:08:19Z

Actually, the rubber tires have nothing to do with it. In a car, the metal body deflects the electrical charge unless passengers are touching metal parts, like the door handle. Cars with plastic bodies (like the Saturn) do not provide lightening protection.

Rowan Cocoan · 2020-09-20T18:39:14Z

Rick Pisces You aren't maintaining that rubber doesn't provide insulation, are you? If so, why then all of those rubber boots and rubber handled tools, et al?