A Sudden Strike
Thomas Fahmy, a Staten Island man, was struck by lightning last Thursday while walking along Todt Hill Road near Windsor Road, just 15 to 25 feet from his car. Surveillance video captured the moment he suddenly collapsed to the ground, as reported by NBC News and Lokmat Times. The incident was recorded on a doorbell camera, according to Lokmat Times, which noted the video went viral.
Fahmy told ABC7, as quoted by Lokmat Times, that when the lightning bolt struck him, his whole body felt a burning sensation, tingling, numbness, and pain. "Once the lightning bolt struck me,the initial sensations that I had throughout my whole body were completely unprecedented; tingling, numbness, pain, just I feel this burning sensation," he said. NBC News also quoted Fahmy describing an intense shock throughout his body, with severe pain in both his feet.
Despite the pain, Fahmy said he never lost consciousness. Video shows him managing to get back on his feet and walking toward a nearby home in search of help, as reported by NBC News. Stephanie Homan, who came to Fahmy's aid, told NBC News, "I heard, 'Help me, help me,' so I ran to my door and saw him on the ground."
Hospital Treatment and Recovery
Fahmy was taken to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, where he was monitored overnight before being released the following day, according to NBC News. He did not suffer any visible burns or major injuries from the lightning strike, although he was admitted for medical tests, as reported by both outlets. Fahmy told ABC7, as quoted by Lokmat Times, "No burns. I had multiple body exams; no burns at all." He added that he went to church on Sunday to say thank you, God.
Fahmy works at S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis' Staten Island office, NBC News reported. The congresswoman released a statement Monday expressing relief that he survived, as quoted by NBC News: "We are grateful that Thomas, a member of my congressional staff is alive and well after being struck by lightning last week. I thank the Good Samaritan who ran to his aid and the medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who treated him."
A Changed Outlook
Fahmy, who describes himself as a man of faith, said the experience has changed the way he looks at life, according to NBC News. "Just to appreciate life, smile and breathe fresh airs once in a while and don't let life overwhelm you," he said.
Lightning Strikes Across the Country
The incident comes amid a spat of reports of lightning strikes, some deadly, across the country, NBC News reported. A father in Florida was killed by a lightning strike while jet skiing in the waters off St. Petersburg over the weekend, and a mother and her toddler were struck by lightning while walking on a sidewalk in Margate, according to NBC News. An Illinois mother and her son suffered serious burns after they were struck by lightning during a camping trip to Lake Superior, NBC News also reported.
According to the S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 37 million lightning strikes hit ground in the S. each year, NBC News reported. The odds of being hit by lightning are less than one in a million, and almost 90% of all people struck by lightning survive, per the same source.