Popular San Antonio Pastor Dies from Lightning Strike
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Popular San Antonio Pastor Dies from Lightning Strike *
Last Update: Jul 25, 2007 3:23 PM
Posted By: Walker Robinson
A 50-year-old pastor from a church here in San Antonio was killed
Tuesday afternoon after he was hit by a bolt of lightning while hiking
with his two teenage sons, authorities told News 4 WOAI.
The man and his two sons were hiking in the Lost Maples State Natural
Area near Vanderpool close to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. It started raining and
the family went to seek cover under a cedar tree, Bandera County Sheriff
Don Berger said. The father was then hit by lightning and died
instantly, officials said.
The park is located about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Members of the Grace Fellowship Baptist Church told News 4 WOAI Tuesday
night it was their pastor, William Clardy, who was killed by the
lightning strike. He had been at the church for more than three years.
After the lightning strike, Clardy's 18-year-old son ran for help. But a
responding park ranger and medic could not revive Clardy.
"We were too late when we got there," Lost Maples Lead Park Ranger Bill
Bailey said. "He was already deceased."
The 18-year-old and his 14-year-old brother suffered
non-life-threatening injuries. They were rushed to University Hospital.
"There were mostly burn marks around their ankles where the lightning
passed through," Bailey said.