A New York Republican congressional staffer narrowly survived a sudden lightning strike while walking to a dentist appointment on Staten Island, dramatic video of the incident shows.
Thomas Fahmy, who works for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), was hit during Thursday’s storms as he made his way along Todt Avenue near Windsor Road in Castleton Corners.
Video obtained by WNBC showed Fahmy, who was carrying an umbrella at the time, crumple to the pavement after the powerful bolt struck.
“I was nearly 15, 20 feet away from my car when I was struck by lightning,” Fahmy told the outlet.
Although he stayed conscious, Fahmy said he could feel the electrical current rip through his body.
“It was a very intense burning sensation, tingling, numbness, pain. Severe pain in both of my feet,” he said, describing the terrifying near-death moment.
Fahmy lay on the ground in the residential neighborhood for several moments before calling out for help.
He caught the attention of neighbor Stefanie Homan, who had been inside her home during the booming strike.
“I heard yelling, heard ‘help me, help me,’ so I ran to my door and saw him down here on the ground, so I got the phone and called 911,” she told WNBC.
Fahmy was rushed to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, where he was hospitalized overnight for evaluation, but was discharged the next day.
No burn marks or serious injuries were found on Fahmy following the strike.
“No burns. I had multiple body exams, no burns at all,” he told WABC. “I went on church Sunday to say thank you God.”
Malliotakis praised her staffer, who works out of her Staten Island office, following the strike.
“We are happy, grateful and relieved that Thomas, a valued member of our Staten Island office, is alive and well after being struck by lightning last week, Malliotakis said. “We appreciate the good Samaritan and medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who helped him get emergency care.”
After he escaped from the strike, Fahmy tested his luck and purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket Saturday.
But luck did not strike twice for Fahmy as no one won the game’s $160 million jackpot Tuesday night.
However, Fahmy came out of the ordeal with a new view on life.
“Just to appreciate life, smile and breathe fresh airs once in a while and don’t let life overwhelm you,” he said.
The chances of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million, with 90 percent of victims surviving, the Centers for Disease Control reported.
Lightning strikes the ground of the US over 37 million times a year.
The record for most strikes survived by a person was set by a Virginia man named Roy Sullivan with seven.
