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Lead Tours Guides - David Croan, BSc, PhD

David has a PhD Degree in Science and, prior to joining Thunderbolt Tours, was a leading Australian Government Scientist. It was lightning that captivated his imagination as a boy growing up in Sydney. This ultimately led to an interest in severe thunderstorms, supercell dynamics and ultimately the pursuit and documentation of tornadoes. While the apple of his eye is clearly his 7-year old daughter Kiara Binas-Croan, storm chasing is undoubtedly one of the great love's in his life.

David and Jimmy Deguara led Thunderbolt Tours to the Great Plains in 2001 where they intercepted 7 tornadoes, including a large violent tornado in the Texas Panhandle. David has appeared in storm chasing stories on 60 Minutes, A Current Affair and Today Tonight with Thunderbolt Tours' Jimmy Deguara and regularly shoots severe weather footage for leading television networks.

He currently spends equal time storm chasing with Thunderbolt Tours in Australia and the United States.

Career Highlight: May 12, 2004

"Our perspective of tornado 3 on May 12, 2004 was incredible. I recall that our east road option was closed. We stopped at an intersection adjacent to a field. The DOWs pulled up adjacent to us, adding to the scene. It was strangely tranquil. Within a matter of moments, however, the tornado appeared to accelerate towards us very rapidly, growing wider due to it's approach to less than 500 metres. Inflow winds rapidly strengthened to gale force blowing all tranquility with it. The change in emotions within our group was incredible to watch. The rapid injection of adrenalin - we had to quickly decide on either heading north into the hail or dart south in front of the east moving tornado. Every emotion imaginable rolled into tens of minutes. That is the essence of storm chasing!"

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