Scientist dies after being struck by lightning A spokesman for Sams said: "We are grief-stricken about the tragic death of Tim Boyd, who was killed by a lightning strike on Sunday afternoon near his home in Appin. We suffer deep pain and confusion to lose such a lively and warm friend and colleague. Our hearts go out in particular to his wife and his two talented daughters he was so very, very proud of. Our thoughts are with his family. Dr Boyd joined Sams in 2007 from Oregon State University in the US and was well-respected internationally for his expertise in Arctic oceanography.