Human Interest Real People Real People Tragedy Florida Teen Recalls Waking Up in Puddle After He Was Knocked Out by Lightning "I’m just happy that if karma is a thing, it ended up on my side this time,” Daniel Sharkey said By Abigail Adams Abigail Adams Abigail Adams is a Human Interest Writer and Reporter for PEOPLE. She has been working in journalism for seven years. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 17, 2024 12:52PM EDT Close A Florida teen is thankful to be alive after he was knocked out by a lightning strike while working on his neighbor’s lawn. Daniel Sharkey, 17, was outside in Altamonte Springs around 5 p.m. local time on July 15 when he was hit by the bolt, according to ABC affiliate WFTV. The teen told NBC affiliate WESH he “was trying to finish up” weed whacking the yard when he spotted a storm rolling through. Sharkey said he “was about to head back to my truck” when he suddenly went unconscious. “I woke up face down in a puddle," he recalled. He said that when he woke up he tried to scream but found he couldn't, according to WFTV. Man Dies After Being Struck By Lightning While Trying To Get Kids Off Beach During Thunderstorm Neighbors quickly rushed over to help. Footage shared by WESH shows them tending to Sharkey while dodging more lightning bolts as the storms continued to approach. Luckily, Sharkey did not take a direct hit. A nearby tree took the brunt of the lightning strike, per the reports. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. “He’s definitely got some angels with him for sure,” said neighbor Angelina Tolbert, who called 911 after the incident occurred in front of her home, per WFTV. Dad and 16-Year-Old Daughter Were Struck by Lightning While Hunting. She Died Days Later Sharkey is now recovering at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Doctors said the teen is doing “remarkably well,” WFTV reported. “I’m just happy that if karma is a thing, it ended up on my side this time,” he told the station. He’s also determined to get back to work as soon as possible, according to WESH. "I’ve got 20 people that expect their grass cut, and if [they're] not there, I’m sure I’ll have a lot of annoyed customers," Sharkey explained. How to Avoid Getting Struck by Lightning — and What to Do If Someone Gets Hit by a Bolt The odds of being struck by lightning in the United States are about 1 in 15,300, according to Britannica and the National Weather Service. About 2,000 people, including an estimated 270 in the U.S., are struck by lightning in the U.S. each year, and about 10% of those instances are fatal.