'Batman' who visited sick children in hospital killed in car accident
A man known for dressing up in a Batman superhero costume to cheer up sick children in hospital was struck and killed on a US highway after his “Batmobile” broke down.
Mr Lenny Robinson, 51, had hopped out of his Lamborghini, customised to resemble the Caped Crusader’s “Batmobile", on an unlit stretch of highway in Maryland on Sunday (Aug 16) night to check the engine when it was struck by another vehicle, slamming the car into him.
He died at the scene, The Washington Post reported.
Mr Robinson, who lived in Maryland and was a father of three boys, worked in the cleaning business before buying an elaborate Batman costume and car, The Post reported.
He spent his free time striding into hospitals across the state, which is in the northwest of Washington, visiting sick children, handing out gifts and signing autographs as “Batman”.
According to The Post, Mr Robinson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his superhero-themed car and it takes him 45 minutes to put on the outfit and make-up every time.
He became an Internet sensation in 2012 after police footage of him being pulled over in full costume for his Batman licence plates went viral.
Asked why children so loved his character, he said: “Batman is the only superhero that doesn’t have superpowers.
“He’s naturally a superhero. Kids can relate to me a lot better.”
His grieving brother Scott told The Post that he was utterly dedicated to his charity work. “He was my brother, my business partner, my best friend,” he said.
“He touched a lot of lives and made a lot of kids smile. That’s all he wanted to do.”
- AFP
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