Two struck by lightning: Boy, 9, recovering at River Park
A day at the swimming hole turned into terror for a Monterey couple when their son was struck by lightning at Rock Island State Park Wednesday.
“It was like a laser beam coming from the sky,” said Maria Chavez, mother of lightning victim Raul Steven Chavez, 9. “I was standing about a foot from him and I looked around and saw him go down.”
Chavez suffered several burns from the strike, but is expected to be released today from River Park Hospital. His mother said he is expected to make a full recovery but will need future treatments for the burns.
The young boy, who was the first of two people struck by lightning in Warren County from the sudden storm late Wednesday afternoon, had been enjoying a day at the sand bar at Rock Island with his family. Mrs. Chavez said the family was getting out of the water and running toward the car when the storm hit with intensity – and without warning.
“We were having a family outing and had just gotten out of the water when it hit,” Mrs. Chavez said. “I was standing about a foot away from him at the time. I didn’t feel any heat or anything. I don’t know why it struck him and not me too, unless it had something to do with me wearing shoes while he wasn’t.”
Mrs. Chavez says her son can recall getting hit by the lightning, but is blank on what transpired immediately afterwards.
“He stopped breathing so my husband (Raul Chavez Sr.) took charge and started giving him CPR,” Mrs. Chavez said. “I was so scared I couldn’t even find my cellphone to call 911. It was terrible. I kept yelling and screaming for someone to call an ambulance.”
Mrs. Chavez said her husband’s efforts brought her son back, although he continued trying to slip back into unconsciousness.
“We kept asking his name and where he was and things like that to try to keep him awake until the ambulance got there,” Mrs. Chavez said. “He kept saying his leg was hurting. He had burns all over him.”
Mrs. Chavez said doctors told her there are no major injuries aside from the burns, most of which they believe are noncritical.
“The good thing is that there’s nothing internal wrong,” Chavez said. “They say there’s often nerve damage and other problems caused by lightning strikes, but he seems to be OK.”
Park Ranger Joe Moore said the incident is the first lightning strike he can recall at the park. Moore noted he contacted the family at the hospital and Mrs. Chavez told him her son is ready to come back to the park as soon as he is able, although they will not come when it is storming.
A second person was struck by lightning a short time after the Chavez incident; however, the victim’s name was not available at press time. He was treated at River Park Hospital for his injuries. He was reportedly struck while closing a gate on his farm.
Mrs. Chavez, who was in the emergency room with her son when the second victim was brought in, said the man also apparently suffered burns.
About 800 people are struck worldwide by lightning each year. According to the National Weather Service, in an average year, lightning claims more lives than tornadoes or hurricanes. Lightning charges may reach as high as 100 million volts and may be lethal even if the victim is miles from the parent storm.