Freak Weather

Reports are coming in from Tisbury and Oak Bluffs of large hail accompanying this morning's fierce storm. One VT reader just sent in the photo at right. The rain was heavy at times with severe lightning and thunder. Yesterday, in Orleans, a clammer was killed by a similar storm.

...A man was killed by a lightning strike Wednesday afternoon while apparently clamming from his boat in South Orleans as fierce rainstorms battered Cape Cod and the Islands yesterday afternoon. Captain Burge of the Orleans Fire Department said the man was killed while fishing in his clam boat on Little Pleasant Bay in South Orleans.

Orleans police and fire personnel discuss rescue at Portanimicut Road Landing in South Orleans yesterday.

The Fire Department received a boat rescue call around 5:30 p.m. and, along with the Orleans Harbormaster, found the man dead and alone in his boat east of Sipson Island. After determining the condition of the victim, the harbormaster towed his boat to the Portanimicut Road Landing. Orleans Police then contacted the Massachusetts State Police, who dispatched the Cape and Islands Detective Unit to investigate.

Orleans Fire Chief William Quinn said the storms came up suddenly turning day to night in a matter of a few minutes. He said it was possible for anyone enjoying the day fishing who was not watching the horizon to be caught unaware.

Reported by CC2Day. Video by David G. Curran.