Fowler Associates Labs

Georgia Man Dies From Lightning Strike

Paraphrased by
Steve Waldrop
May 20, 2004

A landscape worker was killed Monday after he was struck by lightning while working outside a North Fulton County home during a brief spring storm, authorities said.

Jason Godfrey, 34, of Douglasville was pronounced dead shortly after the accident, which occurred around 4:30 p.m. at a home in the 7600 block of Classic Way.

Fulton County fire officials said the victim was part of a crew that was installing a pool at the home when the lightning struck. The man was rushed for medical treatment to St. Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, where he died.

Godfrey and the other two men working were leaning against their truck when lightning struck about 30 feet away. Godfrey fell down face first and efforts to revive him failed.

A man working with Godfrey, landscaper Todd Bogdan, said he called 911 and followed the dispatcher's instructions to try to resuscitate Godfrey before medical assistance arrived.

Another worker's back was singed from the strike, but he declined medical treatment.