Local man survives lightning strike during severe weather
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A local man is recovering at a Houston hospital after being struck by lightning as he worked his construction job.
Fernando Perez was struck by lightning around 10 a.m. Wednesday while on top of a home near 610 and Stella Link, according to his family.
"It destroyed his hat -- split it into four. [The lightning] went through his side and came out his fingers," said Perez's nephew, Ivan Anderson.
The powerful electrical charge rendered the 57-year-old unconscious and stopped his breathing. Anderson said a co-worker saved Perez from falling off the home.
Paramedics were somehow able to bring Perez back to life.
"They're calling him 'The Cat.' He's got nine lives," said Anderson.
Perez has long been known as accident-prone, his nephew said.
Now, he's also looked at as one of the luckiest men they know.
"I give the glory to God. He's done it before. He did it today," Anderson said.
At last report, Perez was still in ICU. His family hopes he will be released from the hospital soon, in part because he does not have insurance. His family has asked for donations to a GoFundMe account to help offset his medical bills.
