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Subscribe to RSSA 9-year-old Wisconsin boy died from a lightning strike, one of eight boaters who sought shelter on a Lake Superior beach, Minnesota authorities said Sunday.
Luke Voigt, 9, of Iron River, Wis., was one of eight family members and friends who were on a sailboat that took refuge about 5:30 p.m. Saturday from a rapidly approaching thunderstorm near the Duluth-Superior harbor, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Although they sailed to shore, lighting struck before they were all able to get off the boat, according to Northland News Center, the news site of Minnesota NBC affiliate KBJR.
Law enforcement and rescue agencies were called to the site on the end of Minnesota Point, near the Superior Entry to the Duluth-Superior harbor, about two miles from the nearest road to Duluth.
Luke was flown to a hospital in Duluth, where he was pronounced dead. Four others were taken to Duluth hospitals with what authorities described as severe but not life-threatening injuries.
The sheriff's office said the others aboard the boat included Paul Voigt, 46, Laurie Voigt, 45, and Daniel Voigt, 7, all from Iron River, Wis.; John Lintula, 52, and Vicky Lintula, 50, who are both from Wisconsin but their hometowns weren't listed; and Frank Voigt, 79, and Mary Voigt, 78, both of Pierz, Minn. The release did not say which survivors were seriously injured.
While authorities initially said Saturday that everyone had been injured, the sheriff's office later said the 7 year-old was on shore when the lightning struck and was not hurt.
Assistant Fire Chief Jarry Keppers told the Duluth News Tribune the 9-year-old boy was found face-down in the water by his brother, who turned him over. He said the other passengers on the 26-foot sailboat started CPR, which was continued by rescue workers who got a pulse back.
Because of the difficulty in getting to the site, Keppers said, about 25 minutes elapsed before the first firefighters arrived by boat.
"It's one of the more remote areas of the city," Keppers said.
Except for the 9-year-old, all were taken by boat to Sky Harbor Airport or the Duluth Coast Guard Station, both of which are on Minnesota Point, a sand spit also known as Park Point that juts about 7 miles into Lake Superior from downtown Duluth. From there, they were driven in ambulances to hospitals, Keppers said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 9-year-old Wisconsin boy, who was with family on Lake Superior, was killed by a lightning strike this weekend. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
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That is just such a shame. My condolences to the family. It reminds me of an incident in my own town a few years back, where two boys were playing soccer and a rapidly moving storm closed in. They were running off the field when struck. They both died when struck by lightning. I heard the bolt when it hit, which was about a quarter mile from my house, and then the sirens a couple of minutes later. The field was right near the firehouse, but even that proximity didn't save them. I can't imagine how the family feels. I feel sorry for them all.
My condolences, they were trying to reach safety, unlike others taht risk the lives of everyone for lack of concern.
Storms come in fast. I worked high, building steel and wood high voltage power lines 45 years. I have had such close calls , that left me without hearing for days.
Not similar but still deadly, we lost a young man in our town a few years back who was walking along railroad tracks when lightning struck them somewhere. The charge travelled along the rails and killed him.
This is such a sad story, no negligence here just bad timing and bad luck. Storms on bodies of water often form quickly and on a lake the size of Superior it takes time to get to safety if you are out very far.
My heart goes out to the family and all who know them.
Very unfortunate tragedy.... As a sailor, I'm curious whether it is better to stay on the boat on the lake or seek shelter on the shore while in a thunderstorm. The conventional sailor wisdom says: stay on the boat on the water, as lightning rarely strikes boats on the water. Any truth to that?
"Although they sailed to shore, lighting struck before they were all able to get off the boat..."
"...the 7 year-old was on shore when the lightning struck and was not hurt."
Sounds like the ones who were hit were ON the boat. So much for mariner folklore!
Yes, I have researched this issue a bit more and it seems like it is yet another urban legend (sailor legend?).
So sad and random it's sickening. My sincere condolences to the family.
So sad. As a life time coastal resident spending many days on the water I know how fast these storms can appear. This was one of those rare but very sad tragedies. My heart goes out to the parents and siblings of this little boy.
Shandril Too! banned for registering a new account while on suspension.
Shandril, also banned.
Very sad.
Shandril you're a fukking idiot. A hateful one at that.
Max^108
"Although they sailed to shore, lighting struck before they were all able to get off the boat..."
"...the 7 year-old was on shore when the lightning struck and was not hurt."
Sounds like the ones who were hit were ON the boat. So much for mariner folklore!
Shocking story
douche
I have a friend who is a pipeline welder. They have to stop welding when a storm hits and are not allowed to start welding again for 1/2 hr after the storm moves out. Lightning is nothing to fool with.
sorry to hear about the 9 year old very sad. I had to taken by helicopter that was ordered for me with my problem. cost me $1600.00 a minute and six miles cost $10,000 I didn’t even aske for it and didn't really need it. just surprises me they didn't use a helicopter seeing of the location. in the story I didn't read of any as I remember had to read it again to make sure. all as I can see is a boat to the airport. it took a half an hour to get there so it must have taken a half an hour or more to get back. seems like that’s one emergancy where you real might need one.
The wizard Shazam has failed to find a hero yet again..
so sad for all involved....
No parent should ever have to outlive their child...
Another tragedy, and thus, is life.
RIP little guy, may your soul find its way to ever lasting peace.
I'm confused by the story. Were they on the beach or the sailboat? I thought if you were on a sailboat of that size and inside the triangle created by the forestay and the aft stay you were safe from a lightning strike.