A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources employee died from a lightning strike in Kewaskum earlier this week, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a Sept. 25 news release.
Authorities began searching for Adam Zirbel, 48, on the evening of Monday, Sept. 22 after he did not return from working in the New Fane Trail area for the day. Zirbel, who was from Plymouth, worked as a forester for the DNR.
Officials found Zirbel’s vehicle in Fond du Lac County and then continued the search to the border between Washington and Fond du Lac counties. At 7:40 p.m., they found him dead in a wooded area in Kewaskum, the sheriff’s office said. A lightning strike had been documented in the area at 10:15 that morning.
Along with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Kewaskum Fire Department, Fond du Lac County authorities and the DNR were involved in the search.
In the news release, Washington County Sheriff Martin R. Schulteis said Zirbel dedicated his life to service as “a father, husband, community leader, and DNR forester.”
“We are better off because of Adam’s contributions to society and he will be missed by many,” Schulteis said. “He died performing a civil service to the people of Wisconsin, and for that, we are all forever grateful for his service.”
On average, the United States sees only about 20 deaths a year from lightning strikes, according to the news release.
“Although extremely rare, this case illustrates the need to take the threat of lightning and the dangers it poses seriously,” the sheriff’s office said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin DNR employee killed by lightning strike in Kewaskum