Filipino Motorcycle News

If you have a chance to go riding in the Philippines, here's the place to get up to date on all the news, plus restaurants, bars, mechanics, etc. Quite a site!

A flash, then biker is dead

A motorcyclist was struck by lightning and killed while riding in rush hour traffic between Denver and Boulder, police said.

Gary Missi, 46, of Longmont was traveling west on U.S. 36 in Westminster about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday when lightning struck, Westminster police spokesman Tim Read said. Witnesses said they saw a bright flash that sent the yellow sport-bike veering into a concrete median.

Authorities were uncertain whether the bolt or the resulting crash killed Missi, but witnesses said it appeared he took a direct hit. Missi was pronounced dead at the scene.

"According to witnesses, the motorcyclist was struck by lightning while traveling at highway speeds," Read said. "It struck directly, but we're not sure yet if the lightning hit him or the bike."

The lightning left a crater in the asphalt about 12 inches by 8 inches wide and 6 inches deep, Read said.

A coroner's investigation was under way to determine whether the lightning bolt, the collision or something else caused his death, Read said.

It was the second fatal lightning strike this month in the area and came in the middle of the National Weather Service's Lightning Awareness Week, which runs until Saturday.

On June 11, Javier Cortez- Perez, 39, was electrocuted by lightning as he walked through the parking lot of the Mile Hi Flea Market in Henderson.

Authorities said a thunderstorm blew through Westminster about the time of Wednesday's strike.

After being struck, Missi crashed into a median and slid about 150 yards before coming to a stop, Read said.

"According to one witness, who was traveling right behind him, she said there was a flash of light in front of her and she saw him lose control at the same time that debris started hitting her windshield," Read said.

Lightning striking a moving vehicle is rare, an expert said. There have been several cases in recent years of motorcyclists and motorists being struck.

Typically, a person traveling in an automobile is more likely to survive a strike, said Gregory Stewart, a consultant with the Lightning Data Center, a research forum at St. Anthony's Central Hospital.

"You can't outrace lightning," Stewart said. "During a storm, you are so vulnerable on a motorcycle and have absolutely nothing to protect you."

From the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, June 23, 2006

Motorcyclist collides with moose

WARREN, Maine (July 3, 2006): A Tenants Harbor man was ejected from his motorcycle Friday night after colliding with a moose on Beechwood Street near the Thomaston and Warren line.

Randy Hilt, 41, of Tenants Harbor was driving his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle shortly before 9:30 p.m. Friday night when a moose walked into the road, according to a Knox County Sheriff's Office report. Hilt was traveling south on Beechwood Street.

According to the sheriff's office report, Hilt attempted to stop his motorcycle, but struck the moose.

The collision ejected Hilt from his motorcycle and he skidded across the road. Hilt was wearing a helmet and suffered cuts, bruises and internal injuries.

Hilt was taken to Penobscot Bay Medical Center, where he was treated and released, according to Chris Burke, PBMC director of marketing and communications.

According to the sheriff's office report, the moose left the scene. Damage to the Harley Davidson was estimated to be $1,500.

From Village Soup, July 3, 2006