A Chinese man named Liu Nan can count himself extremely fortunate to be alive after being struck by lightning twice within a span of less than five minutes.
The odds of an individual being hit by lightning once in their lifetime are approximately 1 in 15,300, which is already quite rare. The likelihood of being struck twice is even more remote, leading to the common saying, “Lightning never strikes the same place twice.” However, as Liu discovered, exceptions do occur.
Last month, during a thunderstorm in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China, Liu Nan was outside his home when he was first struck by lightning. He saw a flash of white light, lost consciousness, and fell to the ground. Before he could fully comprehend what had happened, he was hit again, seeing another flash and passing out once more.
Upon miraculously regaining consciousness the second time, Liu found his wife and children in a state of panic around him. Realizing he had been struck by lightning, he promptly called for an ambulance. He was rushed to a local hospital where medical professionals confirmed he had indeed been hit by lightning twice, diagnosing him with third-degree burns on his feet, waist, and buttocks.
“I was knocked out immediately at the time, and it took a few moments for me to wake up,” Liu said. “Then the light came again, and the lightning struck down as I was lying on the ground. Although I was aware of being electrocuted, I didn’t know that the entire ground was also electrified.”
Lightning strikes typically inflict significant damage to the skin, and Liu Nan’s experience was no exception, leaving him with third-degree burns. More than a month after his incredible survival, his burn wounds are still in the process of healing. Fortunately, his condition has stabilized, and he can indeed count himself fortunate to be alive.