Sullivan County firefighter survives lightning strike
Brooke Stroop is a 48-year-old volunteer firefighter for 19 years and a past captain at the Woodbourne Fire Department.
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News 12 spoke exclusively to a firefighter in Sullivan County who survived a lightning strike Monday afternoon in Woodbourne.
"I remember a big flash. I remember light coming out of my left hand," said Brooke Stroop.
The 48-year-old is a volunteer firefighter for 19 years and a past captain at the Woodbourne Fire Department.
Stroop tells News 12 that he was off duty and helping his in-laws pack up a recreational vehicle, ahead of the rain, at his farm on Route 42 when he saw a large flash, felt a jolt of electricity and was thrown 10 feet by a lightning bolt.
Stroop said he had trouble breathing at first and smoke was coming out of his body when rescuers arrived.
"No puns, but I'm still in a bit of shock. I got hit by a freight train. My left side is incredibly numb and sore. I'm starting to get feeling back in my left hand so, I'm going to be fine," said Stroop.
The firefighter thanked police, fire and EMS personnel who responded.
Despite the ordeal, Stroop has not a lost his sense of humor. The firefighter wore a DC Comics character jersey for “The Flash” while being interviewed, and jokingly said his fellow firefighters bought him lottery tickets.
