Sympathies continue to pour for a participant of the 50-kilometer Flatrock Ultramarathon who got killed from lightning during the race on Saturday, September 28.
According to a BBC report, Thomas Stanley, 33, was near the finish line when the “one-in-a-million tragedy” happened.
The Kansas runner got first aid from other athletes and organizers of the Elk City State Park but they were no longer able to revive him.
The United States National Weather Service reported strong to severe storms in the region ahead of the race.
On Sunday, Flatrock organizers posted sympathies on Facebook to the runner and they were able to raise 45,000 USD within 24 hours for Stanley’s wife, Ashley, and three children.
“Thomas’ family says that the chances of being killed by a lightning strike are about one in a million, and Thomas was truly a one-in-a-million guy,” the post reads.
Stanley’s wife Ashley received the race medal on his behalf.
