MAN CHEATS DEATH AFTER LIGHTNING STRIKES NEARBY TREE

JASIN, May 19 (Bernama) -- A man narrowly escaped death after being thrown to the ground when lightning struck a tree near his mother-in-law’s house in Kampung Batang Melaka yesterday. 

Muhammad Hafizuddin Mihat, 34, sustained minor injuries in the incident, which happened during heavy rain at about 5.30 pm.

“As I was approaching my car with an umbrella, lightning suddenly struck a nearby dead durian tree, and I was thrown to the ground, as if hit by an explosion.

"I was dazed and saw the durian tree split apart from the strike. I quickly ran to the veranda and was grateful to have suffered only minor injuries,” he told reporters here today.

Muhammad Hafizuddin, who is receiving treatment at Jasin Hospital, said he feared being struck as he was fleeing to safety.

He collapsed onto the veranda from dizziness, with his legs feeling like they were being pricked by fine needles.

"My family members, including my wife Noor Liza Ramly, 33, my children, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, rushed to help me and started crying. At that moment, I thought I was going to die and recited the syahada (declaration of faith) in my heart as the pain began to subside," he said.

The father of four, with children aged between six months and eight years, was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and throughout the journey, he continuously gave thanks to Allah SWT for giving him a second chance to be with his family.

"The doctor said I didn’t suffer any serious injuries, except for both big toes, which felt like they had suffered electric shocks," he added.

-- BERNAMA