Now here’s a story!
Whether you wear your wellies for walking your dog, singing in the rain or for digging up your potatoes there is always a good reason to put your wellies on. The story below is a another very good reason!
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Wellington boots save Croydon man struck by lightning
Thursday, November 10, 2011Croydon AdvertiserFollow
A FORMER Croydon Schools star player had his Wellington – rather than football – boots to thank when he was struck by lightning.
Ian Thomas made his usual early morning trip to feed his animals last Monday when he was thrown violently to the ground.
Stunned and lying in agony, the 64-year-old had to grab hold of Monty, his large black schnauzer, who helped him struggle back to the house.
His wife Sharen rushed him to hospital, fearing he had suffered a stroke or a heart attack.
An hour or two later and after a series of check-ups, including an MRI scan and an ECG, Mr Thomas was diagnosed as having been struck by lightning.
The Crystal Palace fan said: “I was walking along carrying a metal bowl when I had what seemed like an explosion in my head, and at the same moment I heard the dog scream.
“I saw my legs thrown into the air in front of me and I was thrown into the air. It didn’t make any sense.
“Some time later I came to my senses and found myself curled up in a ball on the ground.
“I knew I wasn’t dead because the pain was so bad.”
Mr Thomas, who now lives in Redruth, Cornwall, but considers himself “Croydon bred and buttered”, then grabbed hold of his dog who dragged him home.
Recalling the horror Mrs Thomas said: “I thought he had had a heart attack.
“The consultant said that if he hadn’t been wearing wellies, it could have been a different story.”
Mr Thomas spent four days in the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, where he said the treatment was “outstanding”. He did feel a bit like an exhibit, though, as medical students and even the ward cleaner wanted to hear his story.
All he has to remind himself of the incident are marks on his head and hip – entry and exit marks – and a letter from his consultant signing him off work because of “lightning strike”.
Mr Thomas, a father-of-four, was born in Merebank Lane, Waddon, but moved to Cornwall three decades ago. He is now mayor of Redruth.
Prior to moving to the West Country he played for various local sports teams in Croydon and even represented the country at judo.
All of his children were born in Croydon. His daughter Marcelle Lee still lives in New Addington and his son Gavin Thomas lives in Kenley.
