Postrace Tragedy @ Pocono

Not sure just where to file this, but it is most newsworthy...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor...way/56811334/1

Quote:
Pocono spokesman Bob Pleban said the fan, whose identity has not been released, was declared dead upon arriving at Pocono Medical Center. Nine other fans were injured, one in critical condition, as a result of the storm and were taken to local hospitals.

"Our heartfelt thoughts and best wishes to those who were injured. And our condolences to the loved ones of the person who was deceased," Pleban said.

Track officials said the fans were injured in the parking lot behind the grandstand after the race. Pleban says it's not clear if all 10 were struck by lightning and whether there were multiple lightning strikes.

A fan told The Sporting News that he witnessed a lightning strike near the Turn 3 grandstands.
"Me and my friend just ran into our truck during all the nasty weather," said Kyle Manger, a New Jersey native. "The visibility was very poor and all of a sudden (I) saw a bolt of lightning right in front of our windshield.
"When it became a little more visible, we saw two bodies next to a destroyed tent with people scrambling."
A severe storm warning was issued for the track at 4:12 p.m. ET However, race cars were still on the track 30 minutes later, which may have contributed to some fans wanting to hang out instead of seeking shelter.
At 4:21 p.m., the track issued warnings on its Twitter and Facebook accounts: "ATTENTION FANS: Severe thunderstorms are in the area which will produce high winds and lightning. Should arrive in 10-15 mins."
At 4:38 p.m., cars were still on the track. The race was called 12 minutes later.
At 4:59 p.m., the track issued another warning via social media: "ATTENTION FANS: Be advised, seek shelter as severe lightning and heavy winds are in our area."
About an hour later (5:50 p.m.), track President Brandon Igdalsky tweeted: "Hoping for the safety of all the fans that are leaving in this crazy storm. Please seek shelter as there is alot of cloud 2 ground lightning."

Thoughts are with the family of those who were killed or injured

Reread of the timeline tells me that this was avoidable, as the US Weather Service announcement gave 30 minutes advance notice that the track and NASCAR failed to both heed nor pass on to the fans. They waited a fill 47 minutes to relay the warning.

And I bet you thought Bernie Ecclestone was the most arrogant jerk on the planet.

That's so sad. Thoughts to the families

I read about this last night. It's hard to blame someone when really it is a force of nature, but my thoughts go out to the families who were affected.

Sorry if I came off a bit crass, but when I saw that the race officials all but ignored a severe weather warning, I was a bit upset.