Documented the storm — and was directly struck by lightning: "A 1 in a million shot" | Watch
Chris Schiavone went out to play golf in Ohio in stormy weather — and took a direct lightning strike to the arm that knocked him to the ground. The golfer documented the entire event in a video that has already garnered millions of views. "I'm very lucky to have survived, lightning is no joke," wrote Schiavone, who also faced criticism: "It's like jumping out of a plane without a parachute." Watch.
Dramatic documentation: A golfer from the state of Ohio in the USA shared a rare video in which he is directly struck by lightning while on a golf course in Cincinnati, despite a warning of extreme and stormy weather. The entire event was documented using his mobile phone, and the video quickly became viral on social media.
The incident occurred on August 7 at the Pebble Creek Golf Course. Chris Schiavone documented his teammates on his mobile phone camera as they tried to rescue a golf cart that was stuck in heavy mud. While he was filming, a powerful lightning bolt struck near him, hit his arm directly, and threw him with force to the ground. In the video, one can see Schiavone filming his friends in the heart of the storm, when suddenly a boom is heard and a flash of light in red colors is seen from the camera. To the golfer's luck, he was not killed on the spot.
Schiavone later recounted the difficult seconds and said that the strike caused him to temporarily lose sensation in all parts of his body and even affected his hearing. According to reports, he suffered injuries that are not life-threatening and he is currently in the process of recovery. Chris described himself as "very lucky" to have survived the difficult event.
Millions of views — and a wave of sharp criticism online
Schiavone uploaded the dramatic documentation to his Instagram account. The video quickly garnered over 2 million views, but alongside the concern for his well-being, he also received a widespread wave of criticism from users.
"One in a million, that's what they say," wrote Schiavone about the experience. He added that he feels "very lucky and blessed" to have remained alive after the terrifying incident, and warned his followers: "Lightning is no joke!".
On the other hand, many commenters online attacked his judgment, after he stood under a tree while holding an umbrella in the midst of a severe storm. "Man, holding an umbrella while you're standing under a tree during a lightning storm is a bad idea just like jumping out of a plane without a parachute, or sleeping outside in a swimsuit in temperatures below zero," wrote one of the users. Another commenter quipped: "Before the strike hit him I thought to myself - doesn't every golfer know that you don't take shelter under a tree? Apparently not".
Lightning strikes are considered one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States. The National Weather Service reminded everyone following the documentation: "When you hear thunder - get inside a building". They added that golf courses, open areas, and areas near tall objects, such as trees, pose a real danger during thunderstorms.
