A first-year student dies after being hit by lightning
Posted Sep 5, 2014 11:28:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The woman from the Markham area was struck while walking on a pathway.
It happened this morning at around 9 a.m.
Students in the area tell 570 News they can’t believe what has happened.
There were reports the woman was struck during a fire drill, but Nick Manning with the University of Waterloo says there is no indication that is the case.
“There were planned fire drills taking place this morning, the incident took place on a pathway from the ring road leading to an area of residences on campus known as Student Village 1,” says Manning. “The fire drills planned for this morning had ended by 9 a.m.”
Police have notified the student’s next of kin, however the family has requested the name not be released. The university has confirmed the first-year student was a nanotechnology engineering student and had just moved to the region this week.
The University is sending it’s condolences to the students family and friends.
Police continue to investigate and the ministry of labour has been called in to help.
Listen below to the full interview with Nick Manning from the University of Waterloo.
Meantime, Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at Environment Canada says the heavy rain, and severe storms were not expected this morning.
“No watches or warnings of this particular series of storms went through earlier this morning…they weren’t expected to be severe…the forecast was revised at about 7:15 this morning to mention the risk of thunderstorms any time during the day today.”
A severe thunderstorm watch for Waterloo Region and surrounding areas has been put into effect as of 1 pm this afternoon. This includes Guelph, Erin and Southern Wellington County.
The weather authority is called for severe thunderstorms through the afternoon and early evening.
Waterloo Fire Rescue says in Canada, lightning kills on average 9 to 10 people and seriously injures 92 to 164 people a year.
Listen below to the full interview with Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at Environment Canada
