Thursday 3 September 2026 SourcesAbout🌓
🇦🇺 AU ▾
BREAKING
Crash to classic: how Practical Magic’s box office hex marked the spot Australian staff caught up in Uber’s global cull of 3300 jobs Current cricket schedule could hurt women's game, says Perry Australia news LIVE: More than 1200 dead in Nepal, Tibet as 38 Australians remain unaccounted for; Chalmers concedes Labor’s role in falling house values The toxic cocktail that could blow up markets News live: Vanuatu minister condemns Australia ‘not doing enough’ on climate crisis; Marles and Hegseth talk weapons in US Alan Jones trial live updates: Ray Hadley to return for further cross-examination as indecent assault, sexual touching trial continues Geely Emgrand L EM-i PHEV sedan locked in for Australia alongside two new SUVs Rising star Ollie Peake on his whirlwind journey and learning from Australian idols Sydney coach Dean Cox is unsure of the path back for banned Swans as he maintains finals belief Crash to classic: how Practical Magic’s box office hex marked the spot Australian staff caught up in Uber’s global cull of 3300 jobs Current cricket schedule could hurt women's game, says Perry Australia news LIVE: More than 1200 dead in Nepal, Tibet as 38 Australians remain unaccounted for; Chalmers concedes Labor’s role in falling house values The toxic cocktail that could blow up markets News live: Vanuatu minister condemns Australia ‘not doing enough’ on climate crisis; Marles and Hegseth talk weapons in US Alan Jones trial live updates: Ray Hadley to return for further cross-examination as indecent assault, sexual touching trial continues Geely Emgrand L EM-i PHEV sedan locked in for Australia alongside two new SUVs Rising star Ollie Peake on his whirlwind journey and learning from Australian idols Sydney coach Dean Cox is unsure of the path back for banned Swans as he maintains finals belief
World

The moment a man is struck by lightning – then walks away unharmed

Sydney Morning Herald - World ·
The moment a man is struck by lightning – then walks away unharmed

When Thomas Fahmy stepped out his front door in New York’s Staten Island to head to the dentist, he was hit with a bolt from above.

Footage from a home security camera shows the US Republican Party political staffer suddenly drop to the ground in a fiery flash – just metres from his car.

“I didn’t even have a chance to step back, I just fell to the floor,” he said of the shock incident on August 27.

Fahmy suffered no severe injuries and remained conscious the entire time, only reporting an intense burning sensation, tingling and pain in both of his feet.

Seconds later, he gathered himself, stood up and hobbled away, knocking on the nearest door for help.

Stephanie Homan came to the front door with a young child in her arms, which Fahmy said reminded him of an image of the Madonna and child.

Homan helped him inside her home, called 911 and within minutes emergency responders arrived.

Fahmy was taken to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, in Ocean Breeze, to be examined by doctors.

He did not suffer any visible burns from the lightning strike but was monitored overnight before being released the following day.

After being discharged, he bought a Mega Millions lottery ticket and then attended church, where that day’s Bible reading was about the apocalypse, which he thought was particularly apt. The odds of winning the Mega Millions lottery jackpot are one in 300 million.

Fahmy works in US representative Nicole Malliotakis’ Staten Island office.

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

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

Fahmy gained a new perspective on life after finding himself on the ground following the lightning strike.

Read the full article on Sydney Morning Herald - World ›

5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.smh.com.au — the content belongs to Sydney Morning Herald - World.

More from Sydney Morning Herald - World

See all ›

More in World

See all ›