Multiple golf fans struck by LIGHTNING and taken to hospital at the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta
A GROUP of golf fans were struck by LIGHTNING during a thunderstorm and had to be rushed to hospital in the US.
According to local reports in Atlanta, Georgia, four fans were struck with a total of six being taken to hospital for treatment.
None of the injuries are said to be life-threatening.
Video footage showed the lightning bolt striking a tree, setting it briefly on fire.
That is also said to have sent shattered bark shooting out.
Play at the FedEx Cup, on the PGA Tour Championship, was suspended for the rest of the day after a lightning bolt struck the south end of the course.
Up to four ambulances were said to have rushed to the scene at the East Lake Golf Club.
According to the PGA Tour: “EMT tended to those fans and two others immediately and transported them from the property via ambulance for further medical attention.”
Mark Russell, head of Rules and Competition for ther PGA tour added: “We put on the scoreboard the weather was approaching and tell fans to take shelter, but often times they don’t.
“We opened up hospitality areas that are grounded, a lot of other places like that. You’ve got a lot of people, and you have to do that quickly, and sometimes people don’t take shelter.”
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Play in the third round of the event had been halted at 4.17pm local time due to the dangerous weather in the area.
Players were then taken off the course as spectators rushed evacuated the area.
The incident occurred at approximately 4.45 pm with play then suspended for the rest of the day.