Family Of Former Library Friends Board Member Sues Over Her Lightning Death

AVON, CT — The family of former Friends of the Avon Library board member Sonya Dockett, who died after being hit by lightning at a South Carolina airport, has sued over her death, Fox61 has reported.

Relatives of Dockett filed the lawsuit against the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, US Airways and American Airlines, according to the story.

Dockett was struck by lightning June 27 and died six weeks later. Dockett and her family were flying from Hartford, Connecticut, to Charlotte but diverted to Columbia because of weather.

Court documents say passengers were forced to get off the plane during a rainstorm and after severe thunderstorm warnings were issued. The lawsuit filed by Columbia attorney Ken Suggs says the airport and airline personnel are responsible for Dockett’s death. The suit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.

The defendants have not yet responded, according to the story.

See the full story here.

Click here for Dockett's obituary.

Photo credit: Vincent Funeral Homes