A New York City teenager survived a terrifying ordeal during a summer storm in Central Park. The 15-year-old boy was reportedly with a group of friends near East 100th Street when a dangerous storm began. The teen ran under a tree for shelter when lightning struck around 3:45 p.m. on June 19, 2025. Miraculously, he survived, but witnesses claim it was a terrifying afternoon.
Lightning hit the tree where the boy was standing, according to the New York Times. The electrical current transferred through a metal chain around his neck. Emergency responders took him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in stable condition. He reportedly received minor burns but should recover fully.
Crystal Mateo told theTimes she saw the teen standing against a tree while his friends sat on the grass as the storm rolled in. The 17-year-old said she heard a boom and saw a flash. The boy’s friends rushed toward him and attempted to revive him. “It was scary,” she said. “I was crying.”
NEW: @NWSNewYorkNY has placed New York City under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through at least 9PM.
— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) June 19, 2025
Main threats are damaging winds and a very small chance of flash flooding and hail. Regardless of severity, all thunderstorms are dangerous. When it roars, go indoors.… https://t.co/DfB7vxLrxH pic.twitter.com/6ONoaAsIQ8
At the time of the teen’s accident, New York City was under a thunderstorm watch. Lighting is dangerous and can sometimes strike without warning. The National Weather Service says it’s important to stay safe during storms.
“Most lightning victims are not struck during the worst of a thunderstorm but rather before or after the storm reaches its greatest intensity. This is because many people are unaware that lightning can strike as far as 25 miles away from its parent thunderstorm, much farther out from the area of rainfall within the storm,” the National Weather Service explains.
“Therefore, if you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately. Remember this lightning safety rule: WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS…and stay there until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder,” the agency added. “Do not wait for the rain to start before you decide to seek shelter, and do not leave shelter just because the rain has ended.”
