L’Observateur / July 8, 1998

EDGARD – A Vacherie man struck by lightning during a brief electrical storm June 23 died July 2 at River Parishes Hospital, LaPlace.

Lt. Michael Tregre of the St. John Sheriff’s Office reported that JosephEddie “Boo-Boo” Gros, 19, an employee of L&M Barge Cleaning Co. ofVacherie, was cleaning a barge not far from the Edgard ferry landing when the electrical storm erupted around him just after 2:30 p.m.The sheriff’s office got the call at 2:42 p.m. from Cargo Carriers ofReserve. Exactly two minutes later, at 2:44 p.m., a report came in thatlightning had struck a tree a half-mile from Gros’ accident, and that the tree was on fire.

After being struck by lightning, the badly-burned, unconscious man fell some 6 feet into the barge. He was airlifted by helicopter to the hospitalby Acadian Ambulance.

He was a native and resident of Vacherie, the son of Joseph Sr. andChristine Chopin Gros and brother of Latashia Becnel, Derrick, La’Keita, Tessie and Justice Gros.

He was also the grandson of Priscilla Dumas Gros and the late Francois Gros, Samuel Sr. and Wilburine Simon Chopin.Services were held July 7 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, South Vacherie, with interment at the church cemetery.

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