Ten fans injured, one dies, after lightning strike at Pocono

Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, leads on a caution lap as rain clouds build during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on August 5, 2012 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

 

Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, leads on a caution lap as rain clouds build during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on August 5, 2012 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Ten fans were injured, one fatally, after a lightning strike following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway Sunday. One later died after being transported to a local hospital.

The incident happened after the race had been called due to a violent thunderstorm struck the track. Fans were filing out of the stands and heading to the parking lots. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning and track officials began warning fans to seek shelter.

A track official said five people were treated at the scene while two others were taken to separate area hospitals. Both were listed in critical condition, track officials later confirmed one had died. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.