The 15-year-old boy hit by lightning as he leaned up towards a tree in Central Park throughout a large storm that hit 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. one centesimal St. at about 3:45 p.m. when the violent storm rolled via town.
Police reply after Yassin Khalifa was struck by lightning in Central Park in Manhattan, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Day by day Information)
A bolt of lightning hit the tree, knocking him unconscious, officers mentioned. Electrical energy traveled via the tree and jumped to the metallic chain round his neck, sparing him from any severe damage.
“Apparently, I’m pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened,” the teenager mentioned. “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 mentioned. 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 Day by day Information)
EMS transported Khalifa to Weill Cornell Medical Middle for therapy.
The percentages of being struck by lightning in a given 12 months are lower than one in 1,000,000, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management. Virtually 90% of lightning strike victims survive, in keeping with the CDC.
