Kansas man, 33, dies after being struck by lightning while running FlatRock 50K trail race in a storm
INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS: A Kansas man died after being struck by lightning while running a 50K trail race at Elk City Lake Park on Saturday.
Shortly before he finished the FlatRock 50K (31.06 miles) trail race, Thomas Stanley, 33, was struck by lightning. While the racers stopped to administer CPR to their fellow runner, who died on the spot, other volunteers were on standby at the finish line to make sure that the runners had shelter from the storm as soon as they finished the race.
"Thomas Stanley tragically passed away when he was struck by lightning, just as he was approaching his 50K finish yesterday afternoon. Thomas' family says that the chances of being killed by a lightning strike are about one in a million, and Thomas was truly a one-in-a-million guy. Our deepest condolences to Thomas' family and all who knew this wonderful man," the FlatRock posted on their Facebook page, along with a number of photos of the deceased.
According to race director Carolyn Robinson, Stanley was presented with the finisher of the race award, which was handed to his wife, despite the fact that he did not technically finish the race.
“He was unable to cross the finish line, unfortunately, but he is one of our finishers,” Robinson said.
Stanley's wife, Ashley Stanley, took to Facebook to share a heartbreaking post on her husband's death. "It is with deepest regrets and disbelief that I am writing to say that my best friend, father of our babies, and love went to be with Jesus yesterday," she wrote. "My heart hurts and I feel sick to my stomach. I had 15 blessed years of knowing my best friend and I was planning to have 79. Please keep our family in your prayers."
Stanley was working at the Kansas Leadership Center since 2008.
Along with his wife, Stanley's kids, 2-year-old Claire, 4-year-old Peter and 6-year-old Charlotte, are also having a hard time coping with his death.
"It's been hard to hear from her (Charlotte)," Ashley told KWCH. "She's already drawing conclusions very quickly. She has already said, 'If daddy didn't do the race, he would still be here, right?' I said, 'yes.' She said, 'I wish daddy didn't do that race,' and I said, 'me too.'"