[TowerTalk] Lightening Death: SK Al Emer N2YAC

[Larrie Sutliff]

For those of you that remember Al, he was one of the 
greatest amateur radio operators when it came to 
Satellite and  NASA shuttle communications.
Here's a slide show of what other hobbies he had....
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/allenemer/slideshow?.dir=/cbf4&.src=ph


I am sorry to report this story from the Press is about our long time friend Al Emer N2YAC; he gave a lot to amateur radio and he will missed.  He will not be waked. 

Holmdel-area man dies after being struck by lightning

Officials: He fell asleep in hammock during storm

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/25/06
BY CHAD WEIHRAUCH
GANNETT NEW JERSEY 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP - A 59-year-old camper died at Round Valley Reservoir, apparently after he was struck by lightning while resting in a hammock, officials said. 

Police were still investigating the incident Saturday night. 

Deputy Chief Sam DeBella of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office identified the victim only as a man from the Holmdel area. He was in the park kayaking Friday during the day and remained to camp overnight. At some point, he fell asleep Friday night or Saturday in a hammock anchored to several trees, police said. 

Several fierce storms moved through Central Jersey during that period. 

"It appears from what we can tell at this point that lightning struck the tree, struck the ground and hit him," DeBella said. 

Officials said they were unsure who discovered the victim, but DeBella said he was not camping alone. 

Earlier in the day, Hunterdon County Prosecutor J. Patrick Barnes said officials were withholding the man's name, pending notification of his next of kin. 

The exact cause of death will be determined during an autopsy, probably to be conducted in the next week, he added - but the apparent cause of death was the lightning strike. 

"It looks that way, but again, that would be the medical examiner's call," Barnes said. 

Rescue vehicles from the Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad were parked at the main launch Saturday, and emergency personnel evidently had used a boat to reach the south side of the 2,000-acre reservoir. 

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks and Forestry, there are more than 80 relatively remote campsites on the far side of the lake, which is roughly 3 miles across at its longest point. Campers can reach the sites only by boat, emergency access roads - or a 3- to 6-mile trek along the Cushetunk Trail. 

DeBella said he was unsure whether the victim had reached the camping area by kayak or on foot. 

A spokeswoman for the DEP, Elaine Makatura, also confirmed the victim had camped at the reservoir and was struck by lightning. She declined further comment Saturday, saying park police and other rescue officials were handling the investigation.