"a" wrote in message
...
As some of you might know a game was abandoned and one called off last
night
at Old Trafford because there was lots of lightning around and the referee
feared for the safety of the players (and fans). Would there really have
been any significant risk of a lightning strike hitting a player when you
consider the pitch is surrounded by huge metal stands (a couple of hundred
feet high I guess) on each side? I would have thought any lightning would
strike the stands (they thing one of the stands was hit last night) and go
to earth rather than through the remaining air?

Maybe they are just going on the fact that there have been precedents of
people being struck by lightning in these situations. I recall watching the
news or Match of the Day (1967) which showed a game from an early round of
the FA Cup between Highgate Utd (Solihull) and Enfield Town. Lightning
struck killing 1 player and injuring 7-all of which was broadcast.
Similarly I remember everyone being ushered out of the 'Wet and Wild' (!)
water theme park in Orlando because a thunderstorm was imminent. A frequent
occurrence there one would imagine.
As for Old Trafford-probably great concern for the welfare of the expensive
commodities (and investments) on the pitch.

All the best

--
George in Epping, West Essex (107m asl)
www.eppingweather.co.uk
www.winter1947.co.uk