Man who was nearly killed by lightning strike reaches important milestone
Video that showed him being struck by lightning went viral less than two weeks ago
By
Mark Puleo, AccuWeather staff writer
Published Oct 16, 2019 6:29 PM EDT
A man who was struck by lightning while leaving a park with his three dogs in Spring, Texas, on Oct. 3 is out of the hospital and doing well. He recently got to meet the quick-acting responders who saw it all happen that afternoon. The swift actions of a technician from an adjacent veterinary hospital and another bystander, both carried out CPR, helped to save the man's life.
A week and a half after dodging death in Spring, Texas, Alex Coreas finally got to thank the men and women who helped save his life after he was struck by lightning.
His rescuers were veterinarians working in the nearby Stuebner Airline Veterinary Hospital. Video from a security camera captured entire ordeal, including the strike and rescue.
"It just overwhelms you emotionally to know that you had a part in that," Bill Wilson said. Wilson was the first individual to sprint through the parking lot to reach the 27-year-old Coreas.
Shortly after the strike, fellow veterinarian Christy Mitler described that she saw shoes and socks fly off Coreas' feet.
Alex Corea's shoe was burnt from the bolt of lightning. (ABC News)
Coreas was out walking his three German Shepherds when the the nearly fatal bolt struck. As Coreas stiffly fell forward unconscious, his three dogs ran off into the woods. Coreas would later be reunited with his pups thanks to help from neighbors.
At an event held at the veterinary hospital, Coreas got to meet with and express his gratitude to his fast-acting rescuers, including Cory Hart. Hart was the first to witness Coreas on the ground and he waved down Wilson to go help.
Wilson, who was leaving work for the day, hopped in his car and sped over to Coreas.
Bill Wilson, the first man to rush to Coreas assistance, talks about his efforts at an event. (ABC News)
"[Wilson] checked him for a pulse and said, 'Yeah, he doesn't have a pulse, he's not breathing,'" Hart said.
Hart and Wilson sprang into action and began performing CPR on Coreas. While they were on the phone with emergency personnel, Coreas began to breathe again.
"Immediately, it was just relief," Wilson described.
The incredible footage of him getting struck by lightning while walking his dogs last week was seen around the world. Now, 27-year-old Alex Coreas is home from the hospital and sharing his terrifying story.
Upon regaining consciousness, Coreas couldn't believe what had happened to him and even asked first responders if he was dreaming when they told him about the lightning strike.
By the time ambulances arrived, Coreas was beginning to regain strength thanks to the bystanders' intervention. Those quick actions have also spurred Coreas on to learn similar skills he may need if he's ever in a similar situation.
Alex Coreas talks about meeting his heroes. (ABC News)
(ABC News)
"I still couldn't believe, I was like, 'Yeah, okay, good joke,'" Coreas said. "I see that CPR is the reason why I'm here. It's like, I want to learn just in case it ever happens to me, that I could save somebody else's life... CPR is something serious, it doesn't hurt to learn it and you never know what could happen."
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Man who was nearly killed by lightning strike reaches important milestone
Video that showed him being struck by lightning went viral less than two weeks ago
By Mark Puleo, AccuWeather staff writer
Published Oct 16, 2019 6:29 PM EDT
A man who was struck by lightning while leaving a park with his three dogs in Spring, Texas, on Oct. 3 is out of the hospital and doing well. He recently got to meet the quick-acting responders who saw it all happen that afternoon. The swift actions of a technician from an adjacent veterinary hospital and another bystander, both carried out CPR, helped to save the man's life.
A week and a half after dodging death in Spring, Texas, Alex Coreas finally got to thank the men and women who helped save his life after he was struck by lightning.
His rescuers were veterinarians working in the nearby Stuebner Airline Veterinary Hospital. Video from a security camera captured entire ordeal, including the strike and rescue.
"It just overwhelms you emotionally to know that you had a part in that," Bill Wilson said. Wilson was the first individual to sprint through the parking lot to reach the 27-year-old Coreas.
Shortly after the strike, fellow veterinarian Christy Mitler described that she saw shoes and socks fly off Coreas' feet.
Alex Corea's shoe was burnt from the bolt of lightning. (ABC News)
Coreas was out walking his three German Shepherds when the the nearly fatal bolt struck. As Coreas stiffly fell forward unconscious, his three dogs ran off into the woods. Coreas would later be reunited with his pups thanks to help from neighbors.
At an event held at the veterinary hospital, Coreas got to meet with and express his gratitude to his fast-acting rescuers, including Cory Hart. Hart was the first to witness Coreas on the ground and he waved down Wilson to go help.
Wilson, who was leaving work for the day, hopped in his car and sped over to Coreas.
Bill Wilson, the first man to rush to Coreas assistance, talks about his efforts at an event. (ABC News)
"[Wilson] checked him for a pulse and said, 'Yeah, he doesn't have a pulse, he's not breathing,'" Hart said.
Hart and Wilson sprang into action and began performing CPR on Coreas. While they were on the phone with emergency personnel, Coreas began to breathe again.
"Immediately, it was just relief," Wilson described.
The incredible footage of him getting struck by lightning while walking his dogs last week was seen around the world. Now, 27-year-old Alex Coreas is home from the hospital and sharing his terrifying story.
Upon regaining consciousness, Coreas couldn't believe what had happened to him and even asked first responders if he was dreaming when they told him about the lightning strike.
By the time ambulances arrived, Coreas was beginning to regain strength thanks to the bystanders' intervention. Those quick actions have also spurred Coreas on to learn similar skills he may need if he's ever in a similar situation.
Alex Coreas talks about meeting his heroes. (ABC News)
"I still couldn't believe, I was like, 'Yeah, okay, good joke,'" Coreas said. "I see that CPR is the reason why I'm here. It's like, I want to learn just in case it ever happens to me, that I could save somebody else's life... CPR is something serious, it doesn't hurt to learn it and you never know what could happen."
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