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Aidan Rowan: Man struck by lightning while playing video game miraculously escapes with minor burns

The man sustained about 60 burn marks down his arm, including a ‘starburst-like’ one near his palm, muscle damage, and a burn down his foot

ABINGTON, OXFORDSHIRE: In a freak accident, a man was struck by lightning while playing the PS5 game Stray in his living room. It was nothing less than a miraculous escape for Aidan Rowan, 33, as he suffered several burns on his body and was probably knocked out for a few seconds before regaining his consciousness. The incident likely took place at around 10.30 pm, last Monday, September 5, when lightning hit him from behind the window.

According to The Sun, Aidan said, “There was a really loud cracking sound like thunder, then it just felt like someone dropped something really heavy over my entire body.” He added, “It lasted a few seconds, and then I just felt this burning on my arm which was so hot it almost felt cold. That’s the last time I play a cute cat game during a thunderstorm I think!” According to the doctors at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, the marks are "consistent with a lightning strike."

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The man had suffered about 60 burn marks down his arm, including a ‘starburst-like’ one near his palm, muscle damage, and a burn down his foot. He was taken to the hospital by his in-laws and was kept under observation for over seven hours, before being allowed to go back home.
 
Aidan shared the photographs of his burnt body on his Instagram post. He wrote in the caption how lucky he was to be still alive after the ‘insane’ accident. The Oxon man said he was enjoying his PlayStation game on his computer when he suddenly heard a loud explosion. The impact left his entire body ‘jolting’, and the doctors confirmed that it was lightning that struck him.
 
“I am absolutely not one for sympathy posts, I had to share this because of how insane it is. I was happily playing #stray on #playstation when there is a loud bang and I feel a heavy jolting sensation. 5 hours at the hospital confirmed that I was STRUCK BY LIGHTNING through the open window! Never going to play cute cat games during a thunderstorm again. I'm fine, just very sore, hell of a headache and burn stripes down my arm,” read Aidan's post.