THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 TAG: 9407190386
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: KAREN E. QUINONES MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
A 25-year-old airport worker was struck by lightning as he operated a tractor on a ramp at Norfolk International Airport on Monday afternoon.
The man was identified as Jeff Reeves of the 1700 block of Pompey St. in Virginia Beach. Reeves, an employee of Continental Airlines, was knocked unconscious when the lightning struck him with enough force to break the headset he was wearing into several pieces.
Reeves suffered facial burns and is in stable condition at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, spokeswoman Deborah A. Myers said.
``We're admitting him so we can monitor his heart throughout the night, but that's routine in lighting cases,'' Myers said. ``But, basically, I'd say he's going to be fine.''
Reeves was driving a tractor called a push-tug, used to push airplanes away from the gates, when the bolt of lighting struck him, Continental spokesman Ray Lahtela said.
``He had already disengaged from the plane and was heading back to put the tug away when it happened,'' Lahtela said.
Airport officials said they couldn't remember a similar incident at Norfolk International Airport.
``We're used to lightning on the field, and striking aircraft, but this is rather unusual, lighting striking someone driving a tug,'' airport spokesman Wayne Shanks said. ``We're all kind of shook up by this.''
Last month, two people were struck by lightning while participating in a golf tournament at Greenbrier Country Club.
Dr. Hae K. Koh, 50, a Virginia Beach physician, and Mark C. Rheins, 38, vice president of Sentara Health System, were hospitalized with critical injuries on June 14. They were released earlier this month and are undergoing rehabilitation therapy, Myers said.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT GENERAL INJURIES LIGHTNING by CNB