Dramatic Footage Captures Man Walking in Rain with Umbrella and Nearly Getting Struck by Lightning

Photo: Academy for Technology and Academics

A South Carolina man is lucky to be alive after lightning struck terrifyingly close to where he was walking with his umbrella last week.

The bolt lights up out of nowhere, causing McNeill to jump, drop his umbrella and pause for a moment as he hunches over. He is then seen picking up his umbrella and quickly running away to seek shelter.

The outlet also noted that people who get electrocuted often exhibit tense muscles and clutch onto any objects they’re holding — which McNeill did not do.

Three of those fatalities occurred in Florida, while two others took place in Pennsylvania, and all of them happened while the person was engaging in an outdoor activity, such as boating, hiking, camping, fishing and roof repairs.

The U.S. has also averaged a total of 51 fatalities per year over the last 30 years, the outlet reports.

While only 10 percent of the people who are struck get killed, the other 90 percent often suffer long-lasting and sometimes chronic injuries, including “varying degrees of discomfort and disability.”

Because lightning is “erratic” and “unpredictable,” experts advise people to stay indoors whenever there is a thunderstorm and stay there until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

While indoors, people should avoid using corded phones, touching electrical equipment or cords, using any form of plumbing, and should stay away from windows and doors.

In the event you are stuck outside during a thunderstorm, immediately move toward a safe shelter.

source: people.com