Camper opens up on being struck by lightning for the SECOND time in three years – as he reveals his VERY fitting boyhood nickname
- Ten people were impacted when lightning hit a QLD campsite on Christmas night
- Gordy Hervey, 31, was among those who felt the electric shock through his body
- It’s second time he’s been hit, prompting friends to suggest he has superpowers
A man who was nicknamed ‘Flash’ as a child miraculously escaped without injury after being struck by lightning for the second time in three years.
Gordy Hervey was one of ten people who felt a bolt of electricity through their bodies after lightning struck a tree at a campsite in Mackay in North Queensland on Christmas night.
The 31-year-old wasn’t directly hit but standing about four metres from the tree which copped the brunt of the bolt at the Mackay Waterski Park.
Gordy Hervey, 31, (pictured) was one of ten people who felt a bolt of electricity course through his body after lightning struck a tree at a campsite in Mackay in North Queensland
The storm set in quickly, with strong winds and heavy rainfall lifting tents and gazebos and lashing trees at the campsite.
When the worst of the storm had died down and campers were working to repair the damage, the lightning bolt struck.
Mr Hervey was trying to patch up a collapsed gazebo with four of his friends when the lightning bolt hit, knocking him and his friends to the ground.
He likened the strike to ‘a whole bunch of fireworks’ being thrown underneath the tree and all exploding at once.
Mr Hervey told 7news though the experience was frightening, it was visually spectacular.
A tree at the Mackay Water Ski Club camp ground was struck by lightning on Christmas night (pictured)
‘A really bright orange light just lit up the entire area, that’s all you saw for those split seconds,’ he said.
The group of ten were lucky to escape without injury and only experienced a tingling sensation and chest tightness.
The 31-year-old described to the Daily Mercury the unusual feeling of being struck by lightning.
‘It’s like pins and needles and then you’re left tingling for a while after it, like a very severe case of your foot falling asleep,’ he said.
Gordy Hervey, 31, (pictured) was struck by lightning at the Mackay Water Ski Club campground on Christmas Night
He said he’s been getting constant messages from friends and family since the incident.
‘My friends texted me asking if I had superpowers yet, with a picture of the Flash,’ he said.
‘That was funny because he was my favourite superhero as a kid and one of my nicknames from school.’
Ten people were impacted when lightning struck a tree at the Mackay Waterski Park Campground (pictured) on Christmas night
Mr Hervey was struck by lightning for the first time in October three years ago before a beach volleyball game at the Citibeach club in South Mackay.
He was walking out to switch off the digital scoreboard and lights when lightning struck.
Electricity went from the 20-metre light pole and through the wet ground, zapping him and about 20 others.
Mr Hervey said he may reconsider staying outside next time a storm hits.
‘Being struck twice in three years… I think I might just stay out of lightning storms and duck for cover,’ he said.