Statement made Monday by Pocono Raceway president and CEO Brandon Igdalsky:
As reported yesterday, a long time member of our Pocono Raceway family, a
spectator has passed away following a lightning strike. According to Monroe
County Coroner Robert Allen the name of the deceased is 41 year old Moosic,
Pennsylvania resident Brian Zimmerman. Additionally, nine other individuals were
transferred to local hospitals as a result of two separate lightning strikes.
On behalf of the entire staff here at Pocono Raceway, we are
deeply saddened by yesterday’s tragic events. As mentioned, our fans are like
family to us and we express our deepest condolences to the individuals and
families involved, especially Mr. Zimmerman’s.
Within a matter of 3 minutes, medical personnel and additional emergency services reported on the scene and took control of treatment to individuals. EMT responders were approached by additional individuals who reported symptoms related to the lightning strike. Those affected were taken to the Raceway Medical Centers, where they were examined and transported to local area hospitals for treatment and further evaluation. A total of nine individuals were treated as a result of the initial lightning strike.
At this point in time, the one individual that was in critical condition has now been upgraded to stable. Some have been treated and released. Others involved are pending release as early as today and all are in good spirits.
We are in the process of establishing a Memorial Fund for
victims of this incident. More information will be released a soon as
possible.
I was watching on TV - well, actually, I was flipping between the race and a baseball game, as any race at Pocono can only be taken in small doses - and noted how quickly the race was called once the red flag came out. I'm not sure how much more proactive the track could have been. Once the rain came and the cars were parked, the spectators had to at least have a good idea that it was over. Pocono doesn't have lightsand a track that large and flat would take at least 3 hours to dry. At some point, people have to take charge of their own destiny. "Let's see - it's 4:30, it's raining, it will keep raining for a while, this track probably takes 3 hours to dry, there are no lights. This thing is over, let's go home." But what are we seeing? People that sat around, waiting for someone else to tell them to leave, and then blaming that someone else for a resulting tragedy. I'm not inclined to blame the track for this one.
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