Lightning hits 5 people at York animal farm

YORK – Five people were hit by lightning at an animal park when fast-moving thunderstorms swept through Maine on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The five were standing about 30 feet from a willow tree at the York Wild Animal Farm about 3:45 p.m. when lightning struck the tree, traveled along the ground and hit the group, said York Beach fire Capt. Leo Flynn. “They were thrown 10 feet from where they were standing,” Flynn said.

One person was unconscious for 15 seconds, but none of the injuries was life-threatening, he said. Flynn said the five, all employees of the animal farm, were taken to York Hospital as a precautionary measure. The thunderstorms caused some power outages, mostly in York County and the midcoast area.