In Valley Mills, Texas, a father was killed and his young son was critically injured due to a lightning strike.
Matthew Boggs, 34, and his six-year-old son, Grayson, were struck by lightning in their driveway on May 15. The incident resulted in Matthew’s immediate death and critical injuries to Grayson. Grayson is currently on a ventilator, has brain injuries, and is in a coma in an intensive care unit.
The lightning strike happened shortly after Grayson and his sibling, Elijah, arrived home from school. Elijah witnessed the event from a distance and initially thought it was a prank before recognizing its severity.
Angela Boggs, Matthew’s mother, recounted the event and mentioned Matthew’s expression of love for his son just before the strike. Matthew’s mother-in-law, Sherry, posted a picture of Grayson on social media and asked for prayers and support for the family.
The family has established a GoFundMe page to help with funeral and medical costs. It has already raised over $36,000, with the aim to garner community support.
The CDC reports that Texas ranks second in the country for lightning-related fatalities, with 36 recorded deaths in the past 15 years. There is a higher incidence of lightning strikes in the southeastern states, including Texas, which results in an increased risk.
