Teen survives alley run-in with lightning

Published: Oct. 20, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Order reprints
CHICAGO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A teenager traveling through a Chicago alley this week didn't run into a mugger, but instead was dazed when struck down by lightning.

The Chicago Tribune said Friday that 14-year-old Jason Torres was bicycling through an alley Thursday when a lightning bolt struck his back, knocking him over and causing him significant pain.

"I don't remember being hit," Torres said. "I was running around (the alley), holding my back. I didn't know what happened.

"It felt like... just being whipped or smacked really hard."

The emergency room physician who checked Torres out after the incident said the teenager's minor injuries were likely the result of an indirect lightning strike.

Nonetheless, Torres admitted he may think twice next time he hears a storm rolling in.

"The odds are kinda big, so I don't really worry about it," Torres told the Tribune. "Maybe I'll think twice."


© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Winnipeg, Canada, retains Slurpee title (4 min)
Crude oil prices rise slightly (8 min)
MLB: N.Y. Yankees 6, Minnesota 4 (9 min)
Analysis shows scorpion venom composition (9 min)
UPI NewsTrack Sports (15 min)
Grain futures higher Thursday (15 min)
Some Calif. stations reject pro-pot ad (17 min)
fark
Toronto mayor tries to tell world everything is fine; cut off as press conference attacked by giant...
"If it weren't for overdraft fees, 45% of banks and credit unions wouldn't have made money in 2008"...
Woman's cunning attempt to elude police during car chase ends when she A. Hits a tree B. Runs out...
Obama: Poorer nations should fight harder against global warming. Poorer Nations: Obama should EABOD....
Nielsen survey explains scientifically why your mom sends you five fwd:'s a day (with a minimum...
Photo processing company sued for handing over pics of stoner's pot harvest to cops. In related...