A New York GOP congressional staffer miraculously survived a freak lightning strike while he was walking to his dentist appointment on Staten Island, chilling footage showed. <\/p>\n
Thomas Fahmy, a congressional staffer for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), was struck by the thunderous lightning as he strolled along Todt Avenue near Windsor Road in the Castleton Corners neighborhood during Thursday\u2019s storms. <\/p>\n
Fahmy, who had been carrying an umbrella, collapsed to the ground from the violent jolt, according to video obtained by WNBC.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI was nearly 15, 20 feet away from my car when I was struck by lightning,\u201d Fahmy told the outlet.<\/p>\n Thomas Fahmy walks on the street of Staten Island moments before being struck by lightning on Aug. 27, 2026. WNBC<\/p>\n Fahmy remained conscious and recalled the electricity surge through his body.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a very intense burning sensation, tingling, numbness, pain. Severe pain in both of my feet,\u201d he said about the near-death experience.<\/p>\n Fahmy remained on the ground in the residential neighborhood for a few moments before he cried out for help. <\/p>\n He caught the attention of neighbor Stefanie Homan, who had been inside her home during the booming strike. <\/p>\n \u201cI heard yelling, heard \u2018help me, help me,\u2019 so I ran to my door and saw him down here on the ground, so I got the phone and called 911,\u201d she told WNBC.<\/p>\n A lightning bolt struck Fahmy as he walked towards his car on Aug. 27, 2026. WNBC<\/p>\n Fahmy collapsed to the ground after the strike. WNBC<\/p>\n Fahmy was rushed to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, where he was hospitalized overnight for evaluation, but was discharged the next day.<\/p>\n No burn marks or serious injuries were found on Fahmy following the strike.<\/p>\n \u201cNo burns. I had multiple body exams, no burns at all,\u201d he told WABC. \u201cI went on church Sunday to say thank you God.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Malliotakis praised her staffer, who works out of her Staten Island office, following the strike.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are happy, grateful and relieved that Thomas, a valued member of our Staten Island office, is alive and well after being struck by lightning last week, Malliotakis said. <\/a>\u201cWe appreciate the good Samaritan and medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who helped him get emergency care.\u201d<\/p>\n After he escaped from the strike, Fahmy tested his luck and purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket Saturday.<\/p>\n Fahmy rushes out of the rain moments after the lightning strike. WNBC<\/p>\n Fahmy was released from the hospital a day after the lightning strike. WNBC<\/p>\n Fahmy poses for a photo with Reps. Jim Jordan and Nicole Malliotakis. Thomas Fahmy\/Facebook<\/p>\n But luck did not strike twice for Fahmy as no one won the game\u2019s $160 million jackpot Tuesday night.<\/p>\n However, Fahmy came out of the ordeal with a new view on life.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to appreciate life, smile and breathe fresh airs once in a while and don\u2019t let life overwhelm you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n