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Lightning Strikes iPod-Wearing Jogger

by Tim Stevens on July 12, 2007 at 02:29 PM

Gadgets and Lightning are a Poor MixNews is just starting to be circulated about a 2005 incident of an iPod-wearing jogger struck by lightning. Apparently, he was unlucky enough to run by a tree as it was being struck. His iPod, and the headphones he was wearing, acted as a conductor, channeling the electricity straight into his ears. Doctors apparently found burn marks across his chest where the headphones hung and determined that his eardrums were ruptured where that current inevitably ended. Years later, the jogger still has half of his hearing, but can no longer hear high-frequency tones. He still listens to his replacement iPod -- just not during storms.

'USA Today' also reports on a few other cases of gadget-related lightning strikes, including 13 cases of people being zapped while chatting on cell phones since 2004. Apparently, devices don't actually help to attract strikes, but should you be on the receiving end of a bolt, any electronic device is going to help channel that lightning into you. So, just tell yourself "When thunder roars, go indoors."

From I4U News and 'USA Today'

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Tags: exercise, iPod, Lightning, safety

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