Why are people struck by lightning?

People get struck by lightning for a number of reasons: The human body is is about 80 percent salty water. Salty water is a good conductor of electricity, and lightning wants to flow from the clouds to the ground through the best conductor. A human stands upright, and being a six feet tall conductor of electricity, provides an easier path for lightning to flow than just plain flat ground. Additionally, people tend to frequent outdoor Golf courses or be on the open water while boating, and they just make good high targets for a lightning strike. Lightning, like water, takes the path of least resistance. Another reason that people get struck is that a lightning strike can be close by on flat ground without being a direct hit. The electrical current often travels across a persons feet from one foot to another and some of it goes through the body. This happens frequently on golf courses. While not a full direct strike the effect to a person can be severe.

Because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. In a lightening storm don't stand near tall objects such as water towers, light poles, trees, etc. Also, stay away from areas of water like Swimming Pools. Also, you don't want to be standing in a large open area. Instead stand 100 or so feet from a tall metal object. Lighting takes the easiest path to the ground so it reaches tall objects first. If you are the tallest object around then it will come after you. If you can't stand in the vicinity of a tall object, lie down on the ground.

Actually lightning strikes up, but that's another discussion.