NEW YORK, USA — What began as an ordinary afternoon with friends in Central Park quickly turned into a life-altering moment for 15-year-old Yassin Khalifa, who survived being struck by lightning during a sudden thunderstorm that swept through the city.
The high school sophomore had been enjoying the day when the skies darkened and rain quickly followed. Hoping to wait out the storm, Khalifa leaned against a tree — a split-second decision that would nearly cost him his life.
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“I leaned up against the tree and told my friends, ‘Let’s ride out the storm,’” Khalifa later recalled. “Looking back, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do.”
Within moments, lightning struck the very tree Khalifa was resting against, sending a surge of electricity through his body and knocking him unconscious. His friends, terrified, immediately called for help. By the time emergency responders arrived, Khalifa had regained consciousness, though visibly shaken.
Paramedics rushed him to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where doctors treated him for second-degree burns to his neck and leg. Yet, despite the severity of the incident, Khalifa emerged with no nerve damage — a rare outcome in lightning strike cases.
“Apparently, I’m extremely lucky,” he said. “My spine was pressed directly against the tree, and somehow that protected me. I didn’t lose any motor function. I’m just grateful to still be here.”
Experts note that the position of Khalifa’s body at the time of the strike may have played a critical role in minimizing the electrical impact to his nervous system.
Lightning strikes, though statistically rare, often result in catastrophic injuries or death. Khalifa’s survival — with minimal lasting physical damage — is being described as extraordinary.
As he recovers, Khalifa’s story has sparked widespread discussions about outdoor safety and the dangers of sheltering near trees during thunderstorms. Safety officials continue to remind the public to avoid isolated trees, tall structures, and open fields when lightning is present.
Now home with his family, Khalifa is focused on healing and looking forward to returning to school and reconnecting with his friends who witnessed the frightening ordeal.
His survival stands not just as a story of incredible fortune, but as a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of knowing where — and where not — to seek shelter when storms strike.
