A Croatian man who was struck by lightning while cycling survived because he was wearing headphones, according to the website of local magazine, 24 Sata.
Zoran Jurkovic, now aged 41, had been riding his bike to his work on a farm near Petrovci in 2007 when a storm closed in, said 24 Sata in a report last week.
Instead of passing through his body, which doctors say would have stopped his heart and damaged internal organs, the charge went down the headphone cable, attached to a radio on his belt.
He was dressed in work clothes, including rubber boots, and instead of earthing via his feet, the charge earthed through his penis.
Jurkovic said that he had been trying to pedal to shelter when he was struck by the lightning bolt, but it was “too late.”
He was found by people passing by in a van, one of whom told 24 Sata: “We were shocked when we saw the man. He was sitting in the rain, with steam rising from him … [and] burns on his head and neck.”
They put him in the van and took him to hospital, where doctors said it was a “miracle” he was alive.
Opinion may be split on whether or not you should wear headphones while riding – but in this case, it turned out to be a life-saver.
If you are caught in a thunderstorm while riding your bike, you should seek shelter immediately.
Should none be available, if you are cycling with one or more other people, move away from one another so in the event someone is struck, another person can summon help.
Further advice can be found on the RoSPA website.

15 thoughts on “Cyclist survived lightning strike – because he was wearing headphones”
He was dressed in work
He was dressed in work clothes, including rubber boots, and instead of earthing via his feet, the charge earthed through his penis.
“We were shocked when we saw the man. He was sitting in the rain, with steam rising from him“
I’m pretty shocked by the mental image I now have. Cue lightning rod jokes…
In stormy weather, I ALWAYS
In stormy weather, I ALWAYS listen to my penis.
So… He survived, but did
So… He survived, but did his penis!?
‘Skimpy Headphone Lead
‘Skimpy Headphone Lead Handles 1.21 Gigawatts’ (Doesn’t send rider Back to the Future)
Hmm.
This can only mean his penis
This can only mean his penis was dragging along the ground.
“Zoran Jurkovic, now aged 41,
“Zoran Jurkovic, now aged 41, had been riding his bike to his work on a farm near Petrovci in 2007 when a storm closed in”
How have you managed to get this out so quickly?
The penis is mightier than
The penis is mightier than the bolt.
So what happened to him. Did
So what happened to him. Did his penor explode?
Details come on
Quote:
– like his bl**dy penis!!!
Zoran Jurkovic, now aged 41?
Zoran Jurkovic, now aged 41? How many years did he age?
“If you are caught in a thunderstorm while riding your bike, you should
seek shelterput in your ear budsimmediately.”Zoran Jurkovic, now aged 41?
–
Ok I admit, I read this
Ok I admit, I read this article just for the comments!
His penis was touching the
His penis was touching the ground? Whilst riding?
how did he not get it caught in the spokes?
themartincox wrote:
I generally tuck mine in my sock to avoid just this very occurance – one reason to prefer a slightly higher cuff and the softness and warmth of Merino in the Winter months.
[[[[[ So anyway—how was it
[[[[[ So anyway—how was it for him?