Lightning Strikes Man in Bradley County

A 40 year old man is lucky to be alive after a lightning in Bradley County.

It happened in the 700 Block of Red Clay Road at Koch's Food.

The owner says James Bramlett got hit while working on a chicken house.

He was flown to Erlanger in stable condition for evaluation.

It's a timely reminder of the potential killer.

It's not a call that comes in to the Bradley County EMS often.

Wednesday afternoon it did...a man struck by lightning on Red Clay road.

Fairbanks, "When we got to him he was disoriented dazed he'd received some burns around his neck where he had a necklace on. The necklace was disintegrated and left a ring around his neck."

The owner of (cook's Food) Koch's tells us James Bramlett was working on her chicken house when he got hit.

Fairbanks, "He had no entrance or exit wounds from the lightning strike so we're not sure if it directly hit him or if it followed the ground and got to him."

Bradley County EMS Supervisor Shawn Fairbanks says it could have been much worse for the 40 year old.

Fairbanks, "I've been 15 years doing EMS and a few that we've had most of them do have an exit wound. Once they enter the body they'll blow out a part that they come out because they have such force but this gentleman this evening was very fortunate."

Patrick Core, "It's basically a miracle that more people aren't struck by lightning than there are."

Chief Meteorologist Patrick Core points out lightning strikes kill more people than tornadoes or hurricanes...and thunderstorms with lightning are more common this time of the year.

Core, "It is one of the most prolific weather killers out of any sort of weather phenomenon and a lot of people don't take them seriously. They'll say, 'Oh I can stay out for another 10 minutes longer,'"

When the storms hit, he urges people to look out for lightning.

Core, "When you look in the sky you're out either working or your kids are playing. If you see darkening skies if you hear that first crackle of thunder even from a distance, get inside."

If you can't make it inside, find a low spot and stay away from trees and tall objects.