Retired Fla. police chief recovering from Yellowstone lightning that hurt 9 at Old Faithful

Ex-police chief mends after Yellowstone lightning

LEESBURG, Fla. — A former Florida police chief is recovering after he was one of nine people injured by a lightning strike in Yellowstone National Park.

Chuck Idell was the only one of the group taken to hospital. He suffered burns and a ruptured eardrum in Tuesday’s strike as hundreds of people waited in a paved area to see the geyser Old Faithful erupt.

Idell was retired as police chief of the central Florida tone of Leesburg. Police Sgt. Shayne Toler said in an e-mail that he had talked to Idell Wednesday.

Toler said the lightning struck Idell on the head, knocking him out. Two bystanders performed CPR. The jolt also burned holes in his tennis shoes and “fried” his hat.

Idell was flown to an Idaho hospital, where he was treated and released.

Information from: Orlando Sentinel, www.orlandosentinel.com