Lightning kills hiker in Killarney Provincial Park

OPP NEWS RELEASE

********************* Lightning storm takes the life of a hiker in the Killarney Provincial Park (Killarney, Ont.) - On the evening of August 09, 2005, members of the Noelville OPP Detachment responded to a call for police assistance at the Killarney Provincial Park.

Earlier that day, the victim, 48-year-old Victor Rossokhaty, along with his son, 19-year-old Alex Rossokhaty and his friend also 19, Anton Fortunatov, hiked the La Cloche Silhouette Trail in the Killarney Provincial Park.

The trail itself is approximately 10 kilometres from the Provincial Park's main office and takes about five hours to hike as it's very rough terrain.

They put up a tent at their campsite on Topaz Lake.

Shortly thereafter they encountered a severe thunderstorm and sought refuge in their tent.

Suddenly lightning struck next to their tent.

At this time, Alex and Anton’s feet and legs went numb.

Both men then ran out of the tent.

When Alex's father, Victor, did not come out, they went to check on him and found unconscious and not breathing.

Alex immediately started CPR while Anton went for help.

Anton had to run back to the park's main office to call for help.

The Sudbury air ambulance attended the scene and the paramedics decided it was too dangerous for them to try and extricate the victim and his son.

The OPP Marine Unit and ERT members attended the scene by boat and extricated the victim, his son Alex and the paramedics.

It is believed that the victim died as a result of a lightning strike.

A post mortem is scheduled for tomorrow in Toronto to determine the exact cause of death.

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