Teen speaks of shock after surviving lightning strike in New York's Central Park
A 15-year-old boy who was struck by lightning in New York City 's Central Park has spoken out after the shocking ordeal.
Yassin Khalifa was picnicking in the park with his friends Thursday afternoon when a thunderstorm rolled through, according to multiple local outlets who spoke with the teen.
Khalifa recalled telling his friends to take cover under a tree, which he told Eyewitness News, 'in hindsight might not have been the best idea.'
'I lean up against the tree. Five seconds later, I am on the floor,' the teen told CBS News New York.
Khalifa doesn't actually remember the moment he was struck by lightning, as he was knocked unconscious.
He described being 'locked' in his body, which had sustained second-degree burns.
"I can see, but I can't talk. I can't move. So I'm just kind of locked in my body for a second until I get into the ambulance and I feel everyone trying to shake me,' Khalifa said.
Lightning strikes about 25 million times a year in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. Roughly 20 people are killed and hundreds more are severely injured by lightning strikes annually around the country, the service says.
Khalifa's mother, Khalida, told CBS News New York, "I was so scared to lose him because it was looking very, very bad.'
His sister, Reem, said her brother was 'in a lot of pain.'
Khalifa told Eyewitness News that he expects to make a full recovery.
"Apparently, I'm pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened,' he said.
Khalifa's freak accident has given Reem some perspective.
"We were beefing about, like, $10 this week, and that's why I've been annoyed at him, but that's something so simple. It means nothing in hindsight of everything,' she told CBS News New York of her brother.
In true sibling fashion, Reem found a way to crack a joke now the worst was behind them.
"I'm kind of mad, though, because his curls stayed intact and mine don't, and I haven't been electrocuted," she said.
Khalifa's family is hopeful their boy can be released from the hospital this weekend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
I'm a gardening pro – this is exact amount of seconds to water plants for during a heatwave & the best time of day
It's been really hot this week and the plants are really feeling it. High temperatures can cause wilting, leaf scorch, stunted growth and a reduced ability to photosynthesis. 2 2 There' s all sorts of way you can reduce the pressure on the plants to cope. If you've got plants in pots - move them into the shade - and group them together - so they give each other protection. Water early in the morning before it starts getting really hot - so it doesn't all evaporate - or if that's not an option - when the sun's gone down. However morning is the best option - as slugs move around at night and love the damp soil. It's best to give them a really good soaking once or twice a week rather than a light water daily. And experts reckon you should count to between 20 and 25 seconds as you water each plant - to make sure the water soaks down through the soil to the roots. It's not what we want - but there's no problem with letting your lawn go brown - if it's healthy it will cope - and the green will return when there's a bit of rain. Raise your mower's cutting level and let the cuttings fall as mulch on the lawn - to keep in moisture. Keep weeding - so they're not competing with the plants you want in your outside space. Save and store any rainwater to reuse in your garden. If you don't have room for a water butt - just leave a few brightly coloured buckets around to catch any rain. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails Or you could splash out on a dipping tank - which looks lovely and stories water. You could also set up an irrigation system - although these are costly - but a leaky hose can work just as well. Choose drought tolerant plants like Agapanthus, Lavender, Geums and hardy Geraniums. Also in Veronica's Gardening Column this week... The best new plants on the market - plus a competition to win a Lawncare flower bundle A BRAND new cherry tree called Japanese Lantern has won the prestigious Horticultural Trade Association's 'Best In Show'. From growers Frank P Matthews, based in Tenbury Wells, Worcs, the 'Prunus Samaura Fugenzo' was described as having 'densely double-frilled flowers with white, pink, and green petals that deepen in colour as they age'. Plus it thrives across all regions of the UK and in a variety of soil types, except those that are heavily waterlogged. All plants that entered had to be new to the UK and introduced to the market within the last year. The winners were… Annuals, Tender Perennials: LaBella Dahlia Grande Chocolate Rose - from Beekenkamp Plants Cacti & Succulents: Cotyledon Green Footprint - from Javado UK Flowering Houseplants: Cyclamen persicum Super Serie Dragon Deep Blue - from Profitplant BV Foliage Houseplants: Calathea 'Velvet Glory' - from Javado UK Herbaceous Perennials: Hosta 'Silly String' - from Darby Nursery Stock Ltd & Fairweathers Shrubs (including Conifers): Hydrangea Zeta Noir - from Bransford Webbs Plant Company & Darby Nurseries Trees Prunus Sumaura Fugenzo Japanese Lantern - from Frank P Mathews Ltd (BEST IN SHOW) WIN! Our friends at Johnson's Seeds are offering TEN Sun Gardening readers a Wildflower lawncare bundle worth £25 each. The Lawn Seed combines slow growing grasses with UK native mowable flowers - a pollinators dream - plus there's a tin of Celebration Wildflower s. To win visit or write to Sun Wildflower Lawn Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. July 5, 2025. T&Cs apply. NEWS! Dragon's Den OG Theo Paphitus has launched a new online garden centre at Garden enthusiasts and pet owners can browse thousands of lines - from live plants and outdoor furniture, to turf, trellis and fences – with free delivery nationwide. JOB OF THE WEEK Pinch out the tips of fuchsia to encourage more flowers. Pick sweet peas to get more blooms. Stake tall perennials like Goura, deadhead spent geraniums, For more tips and news, follow me @biros_and_bloom
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Teen speaks of shock after surviving lightning strike in New York's Central Park
A 15-year-old boy who was struck by lightning in New York City 's Central Park has spoken out after the shocking ordeal. Yassin Khalifa was picnicking in the park with his friends Thursday afternoon when a thunderstorm rolled through, according to multiple local outlets who spoke with the teen. Khalifa recalled telling his friends to take cover under a tree, which he told Eyewitness News, 'in hindsight might not have been the best idea.' 'I lean up against the tree. Five seconds later, I am on the floor,' the teen told CBS News New York. Khalifa doesn't actually remember the moment he was struck by lightning, as he was knocked unconscious. He described being 'locked' in his body, which had sustained second-degree burns. "I can see, but I can't talk. I can't move. So I'm just kind of locked in my body for a second until I get into the ambulance and I feel everyone trying to shake me,' Khalifa said. Lightning strikes about 25 million times a year in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. Roughly 20 people are killed and hundreds more are severely injured by lightning strikes annually around the country, the service says. Khalifa's mother, Khalida, told CBS News New York, "I was so scared to lose him because it was looking very, very bad.' His sister, Reem, said her brother was 'in a lot of pain.' Khalifa told Eyewitness News that he expects to make a full recovery. "Apparently, I'm pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened,' he said. Khalifa's freak accident has given Reem some perspective. "We were beefing about, like, $10 this week, and that's why I've been annoyed at him, but that's something so simple. It means nothing in hindsight of everything,' she told CBS News New York of her brother. In true sibling fashion, Reem found a way to crack a joke now the worst was behind them. "I'm kind of mad, though, because his curls stayed intact and mine don't, and I haven't been electrocuted," she said. Khalifa's family is hopeful their boy can be released from the hospital this weekend.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
How to cope with the heatwave in the US right now
The first major heatwave of 2025 began on Friday, June 20, placing over 40 million people across the US under heat alerts. Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s Fahrenheit in the Midwest this weekend, with triple-digit highs in major East Coast cities and Denver early next week. This extreme heat poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations, with climate change exacerbating these events. The danger is amplified by high humidity and the lack of overnight temperature drops, which prevent the body from recovering. Mitigation strategies include using air conditioning, seeking public cooling centers, staying hydrated, and recognizing symptoms of heat illness. Workplace protections against extreme heat are inconsistent across the US, with no federal regulations, making it challenging for outdoor workers to stay safe.
