Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Virginia Park Ranger Survives Seven Lightning Strikes Over 35 Years
Imagine being struck by lightning!
Now imagine it happening seven times.
That's what happened to Roy C. Sullivan, a park ranger in Virginia.
He was hit by lightning multiple times over 35 years, starting in 1942.
Each strike caused burns and injuries, like losing a toenail or having his hair set on fire.
Despite these scary experiences, Roy survived all of them and lived to be 71.
Even his wife was struck by lightning!
To stay safe, remember to stay indoors during a storm.
Roy C. Sullivan, a park ranger, survived seven lightning strikes over 35 years.
The first strike occurred in April 1942 while he was working at Shenandoah National Park.
Subsequent strikes happened in various locations, including a truck, while gardening, and in a guardhouse.
The lightning strikes caused burns, hair loss, and other injuries.
Sullivan died of natural causes in 1983 at age 71.
- Who
- Roy C. Sullivan, a U.S. park ranger.
- What
- Roy C. Sullivan was struck by lightning seven times and survived.
- When
- From April 1942 to June 1977.
- Where
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia and other locations in Virginia.
- Why
- Unclear, as no specific reason for the repeated strikes is given.
- Occupation
- U.S. park ranger
- Lightning Strikes Survived
- Seven
- Span of Strikes
- 35 years
- Strike Timeline
- April 1942 to June 1977
- Age at Death
- 71