A man from New York simply wanted to make it to his dental checkup. He didn’t make it there on time because a lightning bolt struck him first, knocking him onto the pavement just 15 feet from his vehicle, and strangely left him without any visible injury.
Still, he ended up spending the night at the hospital, mainly as a precaution. After that, he headed to church. Then the video went viral online, and folks decided he was practically a superhero now.
Thomas Fahmy, a 24-year-old staffer for U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, was leaving the Staten Island district office on Todt Hill Road last Thursday, walking the 15 to 25 feet to his parked car for a dental visit, when lightning zapped his foot right in the middle of his step.
Security footage from a neighboring house caught him collapsing abruptly to the ground after a flash of light appears. He then got up within seconds and headed toward the residence, shouting for help.
According to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, nearby resident Stephanie Homan mentioned she heard his cries and rushed to her door, spotting him on the ground. Fahmy was transported to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, kept under observation overnight, and discharged the following day with no burns and no serious injuries.
However, he told the outlet that “This very intense burning sensation. Tingling, numbness, pain, severe pain, in both my feet.”
Malliotakis issued a statement sharing her relief that Fahmy survived, thanking the Good Samaritan and the hospital staff who treated him.
Internet Reacts to New York Lightning Strike
The clip, shared on X by @CollinRugg, quickly racked up millions of views and thousands of comments. One commenter declared, “X-MEN have a new powerful employee,” treating Fahmy like a walking origin story. Another pointed out the sheer statistical audacity of it all, joking that “He broke ALL the rules of lightning… Umbrella, holding metal, under a tree.”
Plenty of others leaned into the comedy of it. “Dude was littttt up. I can’t help but laugh a little since he magically came out unscathed.” Someone else pitched an ad campaign for umbrella makers, writing, “An entrepreneuring umbrella maker should make this an ad campaign: ‘It’ll even protect you from the wrath of heaven!’”
And one commenter had the most practical takeaway of all, suggesting, “He should have gone straight to a lottery retailer and picked up a few tickets before heading to the hospital. Lucky dude!” According to ABC7 New York, he actually bought a Mega Millions lottery ticket.
Lightning-related deaths across the country have dropped in recent years due to improved forecasting and public awareness. The National Weather Service still advises finding sturdy shelter as soon as thunder is heard.
