A Luton angler caught more than he bargained for when he was struck by lightning during Tuesday’s thunder storms.
The 55-year-old was just reeling in a fish when he saw a “mighty flash” and felt a jolt through his left arm and right foot.
“ I remember saying to my friend “I think I’ve been struck by lightning”, then I felt faint and fell over,” he said.
The man then started fitting because of the effect of the lightening bolt on his brain. His movements were so violent that he knocked out his friend’s TEETH out as he tried to help.
“I also broke my friend’s watch. My rod just disappeared in the water. I’d caught 12 fish that day, and I lost everything.”
“I have paid £100 for my friend’s watch, and now I have his teeth to pay for too! But I’m lucky to be alive really.”
The man was taken to Milton Keynes hospital where he was carefully assessed.
He said: I’ve nothing but praise and admiration for the hospital staff and emergency services. They monitored my heart and blood pressure and did some tests. It was absolutely fantastic. I was well looked after.”
The following day he was well enough to go back to work.
“I’m feeling fine,” he said.” It has been a talking point at work.”
The man was fishing at Three Lakes at Stewkley near Milton Keynes. After the lightning strike there were dead fish floating on top of the water.”
He said:” I’m not at all put off fishing again. If I hear thunder in the future, I probably won’t be fishing then – seems best to pack up and go home.”