Two men seriously injured by lightning strike in NYC park

Two men suffered personal injury in New York City after they got hit by a lightning strike. The two men were playing soccer in Flushing Meadows Park, near the Queens Zoo on Tuesday night.  The storm broke around 7:30 pm as the 30 and 42 year old men were playing a six-on-six pick-up soccer game.

Nearby the NYPD was holding an event at the park called “National Night Out” and as the storm arrived police were telling people attending the event to clear the area. Andrew Graneros an employee with Everything Entertainment which provided inflatable rides and tents for the event was taking down the rides with his coworker when lightning hit the soccer field. He heard the thunder and immediately looked at the field. The goalie and another player next to him were laying on the ground  He ran to the NYPD event to ask for help. There were a bunch of cops and ambulances around so the response was extremely fast.

The two victims were rushed to the hospital. So far,both victims survived. However the youngest one suffered life threatening injuries and he is still fighting to stay alive.

Another 33 year old man was also hit by lightning that evening at the intersection of Baisley Blvd and 155th Street.

Read more in the NY Daily News

Type of injuries caused by lightning

When someone is hit by lightning, a massive but extremely fast electric current cross through the body generating so much heat that it burns and destroy tissues. The heart may stop beating. In some cases people can be killed instantaneously, in other cases the heart beats erratically and breathing often stop. Often victims need to be resuscitated before burns and other injuries can be treated. Lightning can also cause severe brain damage and people suffer seizures or loss of consciousness.

Other injuries often suffered during a lighting strike include, perforation of the eardrums, cataracts or other eyes injuries,  temporary paralysis of the legs, burns, numbness and peripheral neuropathic pain related to nerve damage.

Lightning injuries can result in disability or death in the worst cases.