Fowler Associates Labs

Pennsylvania Man Struck by Lightning Twice in 27 Years

August 1, 2007

Lighting can definitely strike twice. Don Frick knows that for a fact.

68-year-old Frick has been struck by lightning twice in his lifetime, 27 years to the day apart. While attending an outdoor festival in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, he was with a group that sought shelter from a storm in a shed which kept them dry but not safe. Luckily Frick didn't get hit by a direct strike, but a ground current of lightning found its way to the shed. He soon felt the shock as lightning hit the ground and went running through him. He said that " It put me up against the wall. When I came to and realized I was alive, the first thing that came to my mind was that I'm pretty lucky."

The electricity burned two holes in his jeans, including the zipper, but Frick walked away from the incident without any serious injuries.

The first time he was struck by lightning was 27-years ago when he was driving a tractor-trailer when the antenna was struck by lightning, leaving his left side injured for weeks.

"I'm lucky I'm alive," said Frick. No one else in the group sustained any serious injuries.