Subcontractor Putting Up Tent Struck By Lightning In West Mifflin

WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) – Fast-moving storms rolled through parts of the area Wednesday morning.

They didn't stay long, but it was apparently long enough for one person to be struck by lightning. It happened as crews were putting up a tent in West Mifflin.

Neighbors close to the Bettis Laboratory along Pittsburgh Mckeesport Boulevard in West Mifflin say strong storms came through around noon Wednesday.

Jim Reed said, "I thought the power was gonna go out they were so heavy and right over my house, and it shook the house."

For a subcontractor putting up tents in the parking lot of the government facility, it literally shook him.

Bettis Laboratory Public Affairs Officer Mike Brewer says the man from Family Tent Rental was hit by lightning while holding a metal pole.

EMS crews from Baldwin Emergency Medical Services and Bettis' own EMS team went to the subcontractor's aide. He was evaluated by medics and cleared. The subcontractor did not have to go to the hospital.

Vincent Gaines who works across the street says he saw at least four ambulances rush by.

"They were speeding down the street," Gaines said. "I had no idea what they were doing we had a huge lunch rush in here and it all happened so fast."

The governmental site that supports naval design and operations of nuclear fleet has 2,500 employees. The employees were reportedly kept on the guarded grounds until the severe weather ended.

The subcontractor was evaluated by EMS and then released. He didn't have to go to the hospital.

Bettis Laboratory officials released this statement:

"At about noon today, a subcontractor from Family Tent Rental was struck by lightning while holding a metal pole in the parking lot of the Bettis Laboratory in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Baldwin Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Bettis EMS responded to the site. The subcontractor employee was conscious and alert and has since been released by the responding personnel."

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