Staten Island Man Survives Lightning Strike Caught on Doorbell Camera

Thomas Fahmy was walking out of his Staten Island home with an umbrella when lightning struck him, knocking him to the ground. A doorbell camera captured the incident on August 27 as he headed toward his car for a dentist appointment.

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A very intense burning sensation

Fahmy, 24, said the strike happened about 15 to 25 feet from his car. He remained conscious, got back on his feet and walked to a nearby home to ask for help. A woman heard him shouting and called 911.

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Tingling, numbness, pain, severe pain, in both my feet.

Fahmy was taken to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital and monitored overnight. He was released the following day. He told NBC 4 New York that he felt “a very intense burning sensation” followed by “tingling, numbness, pain, severe pain, in both my feet.” He said he had no visible burns or major injuries.

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We are grateful that Thomas, a member of my congressional staff is alive and well after being struck by lightning last week.

Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis, whose Staten Island office employs Fahmy, said she was grateful that he was alive and well. She also thanked the bystander who helped him and the hospital staff who treated him. The National Weather Service says the annual odds of being struck by lightning in the United States are less than one in one million.

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I thank the good samaritan who ran to his aid and the medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who treated him.