Lightning Strikes, Kills Watertown Boy

Get this widget!

Save

17 comments

Ben Richter

A | A | A

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 --- 9:55 a.m.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff:

Sheriff Paul Milbrath reports that 16-year-old Benjamin Richter of rural Watertown was pronounced dead at 11:47 p.m. on July 7, 2008 as a result of being struck by lightning.

________________________________________________________

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 --- 8 a.m.

According to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff:

Sheriff Paul Milbrath reports that a 16-year-old youth was injured tonight after being struck by lightning.

At 8:27 p.m. the Sheriff's Office 911 Center received a call advising that a 16 year old had been struck by lightning at his home in the Town of Watertown. The youth was transported by Johnson Creek EMS with the assistance of the Watertown Fire Department Paramedics to Watertown Hospital and is in critical condition.

No further information is available at this time.

______________________________________________________

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 --- 7:30 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Severe storms produced at least one tornado as they swept across southeastern Wisconsin yesterday and last night. They toppled trees and power lines and set a condominium on fire with a lightning strike.

A 16-year-old boy is reported to be hospitalized after a lightning struck near Watertown last night. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has no immediate information on his condition.

The emergency manager for Green Lake County says a weak tornado caused damage that included a roof partially blown off a home southeast of Markesan.

There were widespread reports of trees knocked down by winds and power lines damaged, resulting in temporary outages.

The National Weather Service says gusts estimated at 60 to 70 miles an hour west of La Valle in Sauk County nearly blew a truck off the road.

At Pewaukee, a lightning strike started a fire that did $30,000 in damage to a condominium. No one was injured.

More Stories
UPDATE: Circus World Museum Hit By Arson, Racist Vandals

Carbon Monoxide Deaths: Mother Sues

Boy Fights Back Against Burglars

Man Robbed on Bike Path

UPDATE: Fire Breaks Out At Furniture Store

Mustard Museum on the Move

UPDATE: Both American Journalists Have Been Released

CrimeTracker 15: Two Robbed at Gunpoint on Bike Path

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Watertown on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Ben was a great friend. He was a great baseball player and best friend! He was always there when you needed to talk. My prayers are with his family. He will never be forgotten.He is in a better place now.Looking down on all of us, smiling.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 06:01 AM
He was a very good kid from all the reaction from friends and other people at his school.

Posted by: Alex on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Everyone Stop, this kid was a nice kid I knew him personally and i come in her and i see ppl Talking bad stuff about this story, This is a horrible thing that his family will have to live with for the rest of there lives and your not making it any better

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Im sorry to hear about the lose of the 16 yr old. My prayers go out to the family and friends of the 16 yr old boy. Mother nature was taking it course and some innocent life was taken. Im so sorry, God Bless

Posted by: FAMILY FRIEND on Jul 8, 2008 at 02:41 PM
EXACTLY, that's what I'm talking about.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 02:05 PM
CC, please keep your "rumors" to yourself you foolish moron.

Posted by: Katie on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:55 PM
FAMILY FRIEND, what is so ridiculous? No one is making up stories. Maybe you should stay off this topic if you're going to be so sensitive. We all have expressed our sympathies towards the family.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:54 PM
oh how tragic I'm so sorry to hear this. Take care my heart and prayers go out to you in your loss. He looks like such a wonderful young man.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Rural Watertown on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Your in my thoughts and prayers dear Rosy and family. He is at peace and doing his most favorite thing right now. Take care

Posted by: FAMILY FRIEND Location: LAKE MILLS on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:26 PM
You people need to read the news articles and stop making up stories. This is a terrible thing to happen to this family and the comments being posted are ridiculous.

Posted by: KH Location: LAKE MILLS on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:00 PM
My heart goes out to Bill, Rosy and Adam. Ben will be missed by a lot of people. This is a such a horrible thing to happen to such a great family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: cc Location: Jefferson CO on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Rumor is he was running into his house, lightening struck the tree and in turn struck him. How sad...my prayers to the family!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:30 PM
It said "at" his home.

Posted by: Sandy Location: Madison on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Wow, he was IN his home?? How freaky!! You always think you're safe inside.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:25 AM
When its time its time, Rest Well!

Posted by: JJ on Jul 8, 2008 at 10:32 AM
just watchin the storm roll in.. mother nature is not one to take lightly, no matter how far away you think the storm is. RIP nature lover

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 09:59 AM
how sad, and so young too :(

Did you miss what our guests had to say today on the Morning Show? Or maybe you heard part of it and couldn't quite get that address, location, recipe or the latest consumer warning. If you're asking 'What Did They Say?,' just click on the flash video player above to see and hear what you missed!