‘I get lifted off my feet’: Lifeguard survives lightning strike while on patrol July 4

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (WESH) - A Florida lifeguard says he is amazed he survived after being struck by lightning during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Damien Curry was working in Ormond Beach when a bolt of lightning hit his patrol truck and transferred energy into his body — an indirect strike.

“I’ve got my hand on the side of the truck, and then all of a sudden boom! It just blows up, and I jump through the truck. I get lifted off my feet,” Curry said.

Curry said his entire left side went numb following the strike.

“I’m shaking, I mean I’m violently shaking, I was in panic. My whole left side of my body was tingling, pins and needles. It was like a bomb went off,” he said.

Curry warned others before seeking treatment

Despite the strike, Curry said he was still able to drive the truck and use its public address system to clear the beach.

“I’m literally on the PA with the lights on, going, ‘Get off the beach, I just got struck by lightning, you’re going to die,’” Curry said.

Curry said there was only a light drizzle falling when the bolt hit.

Warning to beachgoers

Curry urged others to take storm warnings seriously.

“If you see clouds and hear thunder, get off the beach, go inside — it’s not worth your life. I had a close call with death, and it is just not worth it,” he said.

Curry was taken to the hospital and is recovering. He said the sounds of July 4 fireworks and Sunday’s lightning storms triggered panic attacks.

Curry works as a lifeguard part time. He also owns a landscaping business and is running for Ormond Beach mayor. He said he plans to take a break from lifeguarding.

“My wife wrote on the fridge, ‘No more lifeguarding,’” Curry said.