What do you think of this fact?
The chance of being struck by lightning is tiny. Most people never experience it. Roy Sullivan from the US state of Virginia experienced it seven times.
A ranger with bad luck and good luck
Roy Sullivan worked as a ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. According to Guinness World Records, he was struck by lightning 7 times between 1942 and 1977 and survived every single strike. That gives him the record for the most lightning strikes survived.
His job surely played a role. As a ranger, Sullivan spent a lot of time outdoors, often in the mountains and in bad weather. Where thunderstorms are common, the risk goes up.
Seven hits in 35 years
According to Guinness, the first strike hit him in the right leg in 1942 as he fled a burning watchtower. He lost the nail on his big toe. In 1969, it got him while driving his truck, burning off his eyebrows and destroying his wristwatch.
In 1970, lightning hit him in his garden, and in 1972 in a guardhouse at work. His hair caught fire, and in 1973, in his car, the same thing happened again. In 1976 it struck him on a walk, and finally in 1977 on a fishing trip in a boat.
Bonus fact: According to Mental Floss, his story earned Sullivan the nickname “Spark Ranger”.
Why him? There’s no clear answer. Lots of time outdoors, work in a storm-prone area and a big helping of bad luck probably came together. Surviving every time, on the other hand, took a big helping of good luck.
So if you’re outside during a thunderstorm, better find shelter. Not everyone is as lucky as Roy Sullivan.