Teen sheltered under a tree to ‘ride out the storm’, then lightning struck

A 15-year-old boy is recovering after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree in Central Park during a sudden thunderstorm on Thursday afternoon. The incident, which occurred near the East Meadow close to 100th Street and Fifth Avenue, sent shockwaves through the city as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Yassin Khalifa, a high school sophomore, was enjoying a picnic with friends when severe weather rolled in. As rain intensified, Khalifa leaned against a tree, telling his friends, “Oh, guys, let’s ride out the storm, which in hindsight might not have been the best idea,” he later recounted in an interview with Eyewitness News. Moments later, a lightning bolt struck the tree, sending an electrical current through his body and knocking him unconscious for several minutes.

Despite the severity of the strike, Khalifa regained consciousness and was alert when paramedics arrived. He was transported by ambulance to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where doctors treated him for second-degree burns on his neck and leg. Speaking from his hospital bed, Khalifa described himself as “pretty lucky,” noting that his spine had been directly against the tree at the time, but he suffered no nerve damage or loss of motor function. “So I’m like, not losing any sort of motor function. So I’m pretty happy about that,” he said.


The lightning strike occurred at approximately 3:40 p.m., according to the FDNY, as a series of intense thunderstorms swept across the Tri-State area. The storms brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing widespread disruption, including downed trees and flight delays at local airports. In Ridgewood, Queens, a massive tree fell onto a car, while in Maspeth, toppled trees totaled several parked vehicles. In Cranford, New Jersey, a tree’s roots tore up a lawn, leaving behind a large crater.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 90% of people struck by lightning in the United States survive, though lightning remains a leading cause of weather-related fatalities. Data from the National Weather Service indicates that between 2009 and 2018, an average of 27 Americans died each year from lightning strikes.

Khalifa is expected to make a full recovery. His family and friends remain at his side, grateful for his survival. “I feel lucky to be alive and surrounded by loved ones,” he said.