CHEHALIS, Wash. — As hundreds of lightning strikes hit Western Washington Thursday morning, one of them made contact with a motorcycle rider on Interstate 5.
According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Will Finn, the motorcyclist was near Chehalis when he was struck by lightning at milepost 76.
"It sounds like there was some damage to the helmet," Finn told the Olympian.
Photos showed the bike's antenna was burned and the helmet was blackened and charred.
Luckily, though the rider was stunned, he was able to move over to the shoulder after the blast.
SEE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED BIKE, HELMET, HERE.
A witness who saw what happened called 911.
The rider was transported to Harborview Medical Center in satisfactory condition.
The man, who is a member of the Iron Butt Association, a group "dedicated to safe, long-distance motorcycle endurance riding" has the group's motto, "World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders" on his bike.
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