3 Struck By Lightning At Illinois Fireworks Shows

SHERIDAN, IL — The Sheridan Fire Department says two people are in critical condition after being injured by a lightning strike before a Fourth of July fireworks show in northern Illinois Wednesday, in addition to another person being hit by lightning after Chicago's fireworks during severe thunderstorms across the state. The man, 18, and girl, just 4 years old, were struck before the fireworks show in Sheridan, nearly 55 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the news report, the show was canceled and the two were taken to a hospital in LaSalle County in critical but stable condition.

Fire officials in Chicago say a woman was seriously hurt after being struck by lightning on Lake Shore Drive at Monroe near Grant Park just after the downtown fireworks show.

A Facebook post by Joliet Weather Center said in Sheridan, the lightning apparently hit a tree near where the injured man and toddler were standing waiting for the fireworks display. The center said it continually warns people to never be outdoors when a storm is nearby, as lightning can travel for miles outside the storm cell and lightning doesn't just hit the tallest object. "When thunder roars, head indoors."

Fireworks Continue at 10:18pm on Independence Day. Massive Lightning Strike Over Chicago's Gold Coast #storm #ilwx #weather #lightning #news #chicago pic.twitter.com/WnXlKI5xxW
— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) July 5, 2018

Tragedy struck at another fireworks show, this one on Tuesday night in Rock Island, when a large tree branch fell, killing two people and injuring five others. Two men, ages 61 and 72, died of their injuries. The injured included a pregnant woman who later gave birth after being taken to a local hospital.

Image via Patch