A tragic incident involving a lightning strike in Texas has left a family shattered.
A father lost his life and his young son was critically injured with potential brain damage.
Matthew Boggs, 34, walked hand-in-hand with his six-year-old son, Grayson, down their driveway at around 5 pm on Monday, May 15. It was shortly after Grayson and his brother, Elijah, had been dropped off by the school bus. Tragically, a sudden lightning bolt struck, taking Matthew’s life instantaneously.
As they made their way up the heart-shaped driveway, Elijah took the left path while Matthew and Grayson headed towards the right.
According to family members, the lightning surged through Matthew and into Grayson due to their physical connection. Medical professionals are working tirelessly to save Grayson’s life, as he currently relies on a ventilator and experiences frequent seizures.
Angela Boggs, Matthew’s mother, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking moment, saying how Matthew had expressed his love for his son just before the lightning struck.
Elijah, Grayson’s sibling, was only a few feet away during the lightning strike. He described his fear and shock, initially thinking that they were joking. However, upon rolling his father over, he discovered a bleeding head and a purple face.
Sherry, Matthew’s mother-in-law, shared a photo of Grayson on social media, pleading for prayers and support for the family. The focus now rests on Grayson’s condition, as doctors evaluate him for potential brain damage, although he appears responsive from the neck down.
To assist with the funeral and medical expenses, the family established a GoFundMe page, which has already gathered over $36,000 in donations. Their primary goal is to rally the community’s support during this difficult period.
According to the CDC, the southeastern states, including Texas, experience a high occurrence of lightning strikes and face an increased risk from them. Over the past 15 years, Texas ranked second in lightning-related fatalities, with 36 deaths recorded, while Florida claimed the highest number with 79 deaths.
