Reported injuries after lightning at Tour Championship golf tournament

by



[ad_1]

At least six people were injured and the game was suspended Saturday afternoon at the Tour Championship golf tournament in Atlanta, when lightning hit the golf course's 16th hole, officials said.

The wounded were treated for life-threatening injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals after a thunderstorm formed and at least two lightning strikes fell on the club. East Lake Golf, when NBC broadcast the tournament of the Professional Golf Association.

PGA officials suspended the third round of the circuit championship for the day at 4:17 pm because of bad weather. About half an hour later, two lightning strikes hit the golf course, according to PGA officials.

PHOTO: The medical staff assists fans after lightning in the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club.Adam Hagy / USA TODAY Sports
The medical staff helped the fans after the lightning in the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club.

One of the lightning strikes hit a tree near the 15th green and the 16th tee off of the golf course and people in the vicinity were hit by debris, according to a report posted on the PGA website.

ESPN reported that lightning had hit the top of a tree near the 15th green tee and the 16th tee, and that the bark had broken up to the bottom.

"I felt a little bit of pressure and lightning hit, it was probably about 200 meters away," said a spectator who witnessed the lightning. He also told ABC TV's WSB-TV in Atlanta.

Four adults and a youth were looking for shelter near a tree when lightning struck the tree, said Atlanta Police spokesman Carlos Campos at the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

A spokesman for the DeKalb County Fire Department said there were six patients.

PHOTO: Fans avoid the damage caused by lightning to a tree during a game suspension due to adverse weather conditions during the third round of the TOUR championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 24, 2019 in Atlanta, Ontario. Georgia.Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Fans are following lightning damage to a tree during a game suspension due to adverse weather conditions during the third round of the TOUR championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 24, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The nurses treated the wounded and the ambulances took them to the hospital for additional medical care.

PGA officials stopped playing for the day and said the tournament would resume at 8:00 am Eastern time Sunday.

"The safety of our fans, players and partners is of paramount importance, we will provide other updates as they become available," said PGA in a statement.

By the time the game was suspended, American Justin Thomas was leading the tournament in one hit on Rory McIlroy, of Ireland, and Brooks Koepka, of the United States.

ABC News Matt Foster contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

Source link