MIAMI — A man visiting Miami on a youth mission is in critical condition after being struck by lightning on Sunday.
Hailu Kidanemariam, 40, was struck while going door-to-door, handing out children’s books in a northwest Miami-Dade County neighborhood.
Resident Maria Martinez said she had just received one of the books when Kidanemariam was hit.
“We heard like a gunshot,” she said. “When we turned around, I saw a cloud of smoke and this guy jumping, like basically being slammed on his feet. He just fell back and laid there.”
Lt. Elkin Sierra of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said paramedics brought Kidanemariam back from death.
“He had no heartbeat. He had no respirations,” Sierra said. “Our units intervened the way any emergency room doctor would intervene — we carry the same equipment — and brought back the pulse.”
Kidanemariam was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where members of his youth group were awaiting his recovery.
“He is originally from Ethiopia,” friend Francisco Perez said. “He’s studying theology and nursing in Puerto Rico. He was here working for his scholarship. He could go back to school in August.”
Perez said the weather did not look threatening when lightning struck his friend.
“It wasn’t even raining,” he said.
According to Jim Lushine, an NBC WeatherPlus severe weather expert, more people are struck by lightning before it starts raining or after it stops. (More Lightning Facts)
“If the interval between thunder and lightning is 30 seconds or less, definitely stay inside,” Sierra said. “Don’t let the bright conditions fool you and think that it’s OK to be outside during lightning strikes.”
.
Email This Post |
FORUM | 5 Comments
Why do post his ID online? His birthdate is on the card
[Reply]
July 9th, 2007 at 12:28 PM
yeah, It would have been better if they covered his birthday. Elias if u could tell them this please do it.
what a bad day for him!
God bless him
[Reply]
July 9th, 2007 at 1:26 PM
thanks, everybody for the prayers. my parents were the ones that sponsored hailu. we met him in madrid, spain. I live & study in southern california while he stays in my room at the house they have in puerto rico. good point about the card ID. good thing is, security-wise, because of his status, is not really as crucial.
thank God, he had a 180 degree turnaround for the good health-wise. praise the Lord!
[Reply]
July 10th, 2007 at 9:10 PM
Wendmien, Wendmien!
How do you avoid being struck by lightening? Most people are struck before or just after rain stops, no way of knowing at all. Man this is a sad story.
[Reply]
July 11th, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Sorry to hear this sad story about this brother. I hope he will recover fully and resume his study soon.
God speed,
[Reply]
July 12th, 2007 at 11:01 AM