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A teenager from Florida is lucky to be alive after he was struck by lightning. Daniel Sharkey, 17, was doing yard work at his neighbor's home on Monday (July 15) when he saw dark clouds approaching.
Thinking he had more time to finish up, Sharkey continued working. However, just a few minutes later, he was struck by lightning and knocked unconscious.
"I saw the storm was approaching; it was thunder and lightning, so I thought I had time. I was pretty sure I could finish up because we have a siren that goes off when it's lightning, and it had not gone off yet," Sharkey told WTVT from a hospital bed.
Neighbors rushed out to check on Sharkey before he was transported to the hospital.
Doctors said that Sharkey is lucky to be alive because the bolt of lightning hit a nearby tree before it struck him.
"If it was a direct hit, I probably wouldn't be here today. I am lucky that tree was there," he said.
Sharkey remains in the hospital as he continues to recover. He can't wait to be released so he can get back to his lawn care business.
"It was just a complete fluke. It's a one-in-a-million shot to get hit by lightning, and it's not 100% survival. Luckily, that tree was there, and I am lucky to be alive," he said.