Skip to Content

‘I woke up face down in a puddle’: Altamonte Springs teen recovering, recalls lightning strike scare

<i>WESH via CNN Newsource</i><br/>Daniel Sharkey
WESH via CNN Newsource
Daniel Sharkey

By Tony Atkins

Click here for updates on this story

    ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Florida (WESH) — An Altamonte Springs teen said he’s lucky to be alive after a lightning strike on Monday afternoon.

Daniel Sharkey, 17, was doing lawn work for a neighbor, and literally, the next second, he was fighting for his life.

He was finishing up weed whacking in his neighbor’s yard because he saw a storm rolling through.

“I was trying to finish up. I was about to head back to my truck, and suddenly, I woke up face down in a puddle,” Sharkey said.

Seconds later, he was on the ground, and neighbors rushed over to help, even as lightning continued to strike.

“There was no warning. There was no ‘get out of the way.’ It was just instantaneous,” Sharkey said.

Witnesses said he wasn’t struck directly, but because he was so dangerously close, it forced him to fall down, and witnesses say this tree saved his life because it wasn’t a direct strike to the 17-year-old.

“A direct hit is usually fatal, and even a hit like what I took, there’s still a very good chance of a fatality,” he said.

Now, Sharkey is in a room at ORMC with his family and neighbors by his side, emotionally and physically, as he recovers. He’s said he’s thankful to be here to continue helping his neighbors and the Greater Central Florida community through his volunteer work.

As for his yard work earning summer cash, he said he’s not finished.

“I mean, I’ve got 20 people that expect their grass cut, and if not there, I’m sure I’ll have a lot of annoyed customers,” he said.

Surely they’ll understand.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content