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1991 Chaska, Minnesota US Open disaster...
1991 Chaska, Minnesota US Open disaster...
Item # 718894
June 14, 1991
THE HAYS DAILY NEWS, Kansas, June 14, 1991
* Lightning strike the US Open golf tournament
* Hazeltine National Gold Club disaster
* Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota death
The front page has a heading: "Lightning kills man at US Open" with related photo. (see images)
Complete with 16 pages, address label within the masthead, nice condition.
background: During the first round of the 1991 U.S. Open golf tournament at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, tragedy struck when a powerful lightning bolt killed one spectator and injured five others. On June 13, as thunderstorms moved into the area, officials sounded sirens and halted play to urge players and spectators to seek shelter. Despite the warnings, several individuals took refuge under a willow tree near the 11th tee—a fatal mistake. At approximately 4:10 PM, lightning struck the tree directly, killing 27-year-old William "Billy" Fadell instantly and knocking others to the ground with burns and temporary paralysis. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and surreal, with screams cutting through the pouring rain as medical personnel rushed to respond. The incident underscored the dangers of lightning at open-air sporting events and sparked discussions about crowd evacuation procedures, ultimately leading to heightened weather safety protocols in professional golf and other outdoor sports.
Category: The 20th Century
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