Man transported to hospital after being struck by lightning while golfing

ST. GEORGE — A man was transported to the hospital after he was struck by lightning while golfing Friday afternoon.

A few minutes before 2 p.m. firefighters and emergency personnel were dispatched to Sunbrook Golf Club at 2366 W. Sunbrook Drive after a call to 911 reported that a man was struck by lightning while playing golf.

Path that lightning took through the ground when a golfer was struck at Sunbrook Golf Club, St. George, Utah, Feb. 23, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers. St. George News

Responders found the man unconscious on one of the course’s greens with bystanders and police officers attempting to help him, St. George Fire Capt. Josh Christiansen said.

“It sounded like a neighbor or witness saw it happen and called 911,” Christiansen said, “and then bystanders were alerted and ran to help him.”

Paramedics arrived and quickly transported the unconscious man to Dixie Regional Medical Center by ambulance.

Sunbrook’s assistant superintendent, Joe Manumaleuna, had just left work and was on his way home when he saw the ambulance heading toward the golf course. He turned around and headed back to work.

Manumaleuna said he had never seen a lightning strike leave the type of disruption that was left on the green, where it branched out through the grass and soil.

“I’ve never witnessed anyone being struck by lightning here, but we have seen strikes that have hit the greens,” he said.

See update: Family provides update on St. George lightning strike victim’s condition.

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9 Comments

  • comments February 23, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    as an “atheist” i’m surprised this hasn’t happened to me…

    • NotSoFast February 23, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      I suspect your handicap is way too high and your IQ way too low

      • comments February 24, 2018 at 1:22 pm

        IQ too low to put myself in a position to be struck by lightning. I’d love to understand the logic behind that.

  • Striker4 February 23, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Not only is his IQ to low. It’s illegal to electrocute the mentally challenged

    • comments February 23, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      just think, dump, a lightning strike might be good for you. All that voltage into your brain might cure you of your autism. but i doubt it will cure you of your stupidity.

      • mesaman February 23, 2018 at 8:40 pm

        I hope you didn’t step in a cow pie before you put your foot in your mouth.

        • comments February 24, 2018 at 1:23 pm

          m&m, where have i “put my foot in my mouth”?

          explain

      • Striker4 February 25, 2018 at 2:07 am

        Hey Prophet Bob if you were struck by lightening earlier in life you wouldn’t be the delusional idiot you are now..

  • mmsandie February 24, 2018 at 8:11 am

    I live in green valley and it started spitting and snow just after 1:30 sane people would have left the golf course as they pr3dicted snow ..it actually snowed 3 times on Friday..I’ve lived here over 23 yrs and kept along and pics of all the snow we hav3 had.. feb 20- March 6. So remember that.. golfers would golf in any weather or conditions,their crazy about it.. hope the man is alright. I remember when the 2 Hugh school students at snow canyon got struck. By lightening standing unde4 a tree, another mistake. In golf it could be holding the metal club..

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