South
Carolina Boy Shocked by Birthday Gift "All
of a sudden I heard a noise like a gunshot and I could see a streak of fire from
his head to his feet."
Mary Ruppe, Grandmother
Boiling
Springs- The family of 13-year-old Tyler Horn knew that he would be in for a shock
when he discovered his birthday present, a new bicycle hidden in the carport.
Lightning struck beside the surprised teen just as he touched the handlebar
of the orange and blue bike- a surprise birthday present- sending an electrical
charge up his arm. The incident happened in the family's carport around 5 p.m.
"I was standing here and I was curious to see his reaction when he saw
the bike," said his grandmother, Mary Ruppe. "All of a sudden I heard
a noise like a gunshot and I could see a streak of fire from his head to his feet."
Tyler went into the carport after he was asked to get some ice from the freezer.
His family gathered by the door to watch him as he discovered the bike, which
was placed nearby.
That's when the lightning struck!
"I
saw the bike and asked who who it was for, and they said me," Horn said.
"Then lightning struck and went through my hand. It stung through my hand
and numbed it. I couldn't feel my fingers. My hand was white."
Tyler
screamed in pain and shook violently as his dad rushed to pick him up and carry
him inside.
After medical assistance arrived, the teen's arm was examined
and , other than being shaken up, received no further injuries.
"We,re
very, very fortunate. That's how we feel," said Steve Horn, Tyler's dad.
