Lightning strikes at Ferris; 4 hurt

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Four construction workers were injured when lightning struck a site project at Ferris State University on Wednesday morning.

The workers were on some earth-moving equipment and had gathered near a tree when lightning hit it, at around 9:45 a.m. in the campus parking lot near Williams Auditorium.

They were ready to start work, drilling holes underground to string electric wires when the storm hit.

The four employees work for J. Ranck Electric of Mount Pleasant, and are subcontractors of Clark Construction, the group managing upgrades to the Ferris State infrastructure.

"They were just getting out of the rain and trying to get back to their trucks," said Tim Ward, of Clark Construction.

Ward has been in the business for 38 years and told 24 Hour News 8 he has never been involved with a lightning strike on the job.

"Right now, our prayers are with them and their families, and (we) hope that they're going to be OK," he said. "Because they seem like good guys, and I don't want to see anybody get hurt."

The injured workers were hurt and transported to Mecosta County Medical Center in Big Rapids. Two were then taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where they are listed in critical condition.

Of the workers that remain in Mecosta County Medical Center, one is in serious condition and the other is in fair condition.

Their names and hometowns have not been released.