Roy C. Sullivan Struck by Lightning for the 7th Time in 1977

Name: Roy C. Sullivan Struck by Lightning for the 7th Time in 1977
Start: 1912-06-25
Location: Unspecified

The Incredible Story of Roy C. Sullivan

In a remarkable and almost unbelievable series of events, Roy C. Sullivan became known as the "Human Lightning Rod" after being struck by lightning a staggering seven times throughout his life. Born on February 7, 1912, in Virginia, Sullivan's astonishing encounters with nature's fury attracted widespread attention, illustrating both the unpredictability of weather and the resilience of the human spirit.

The First Strike

Roy C. Sullivan's strange fortune began in 1942 when he experienced his first lightning strike while serving in the U.S. National Park Service. He was out in the fields when a storm rolled in, and as he took shelter under a tree, he was hit by a bolt of lightning. Remarkably, he suffered only minor injuries, which led him to brush off the incident as a freak occurrence. However, this would be just the beginning of an extraordinary saga.

Multiple Encounters

After the first strike, Roy had a series of other close calls with nature's electric charges. His second lightning strike occurred in 1969 while he was driving his truck; the lightning hit his vehicle. From then on, strikes appeared to target him repeatedly, hitting him during different activities such as fishing, gardening, and even while at his home. Each encounter left him with injuries ranging from singed hair to burned feet, yet each time, he survived.

Life After Strikes

Despite the luck he had in surviving these terrifying incidents, Roy C. Sullivan struggled with the stigma and misfortune surrounding his peculiar situation. By the time he was struck for the seventh time in 1977, he was already used to the flash of lightning—and ironically, stories amassed around him, making his life become somewhat of a modern legend.

The Seventh Strike Experience

On June 25, 1977, Roy found himself in a familiar situation. While working in the woods, another storm rolled in leading to his seventh lightning strike. This time, he was left with a *major* injury and the memory of an experience that few could fathom. In interviews, he noted that after so many encounters, he felt a special connection with thunder and lightning, seeing it as a part of his destiny.

Coping with Fame

Roy C. Sullivan's fame grew as anecdotes of his multiple lightning strikes spread. He was featured in several publications and television shows that sought to examine the phenomenon of a man being struck by lightning more than anyone else documented. His title of "Human Lightning Rod" wasn't just a nickname; it became an indelible part of his identity.

Fun Fact

Roy’s Comedic Take

Roy once joked that he should be charged admission for people to come watch him stand outside during storms, which highlighted his good nature and ability to cope with the extreme events that had shaped his life.