The 15-year-old boy hit by lightning as he leaned up in opposition to a tree in Central Park throughout an enormous storm that hit the town Thursday afternoon is on the mend, reflecting on how fortunate he was to outlive.
Yassin Khalifa was having a picnic with associates within the iconic park on the park’s East Drive close to E. a centesimal St. at about 3:45 p.m. when the violent storm rolled by the town.
Police reply after Yassin Khalifa was struck by lightning in Central Park in Manhattan, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Each day Information)
A bolt of lightning hit the tree, knocking him unconscious, officers stated. Electrical energy traveled by the tree and jumped to the steel chain round his neck, sparing him from any critical harm.
“Apparently, I’m pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened,” the teenager stated. “So I’m like, not losing any sort of motor function. So I’m pretty happy about that.”
Khalifa solely suffered minor accidents, and a burn on his neck the place he wore his necklace, police stated. He had regained consciousness by the point first responders arrived.
NYPD and NYC Parks officers reply after Yassin Khalifa was struck by lightning within the East Meadow of Central Park in Manhattan on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Each day Information)
EMS transported Khalifa to Weill Cornell Medical Middle for therapy.
The chances of being struck by lightning in a given 12 months are lower than one in one million, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management. Virtually 90% of lightning strike victims survive, in response to the CDC.
