FIRST ON 3: Man reportedly struck by lightning on Christmas Eve

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man is recovering after reportedly being struck by lightning just before noon on Christmas Eve.

David Gillis said his dad was working on a spark plug on his truck in a neighborhood off Carolina Beach Road when it happened. Gillis said it started thundering. Then, he said he went inside to clean some tools when he heard a loud noise and his dad ran inside.

“I saw a spark through the window and it sounded really loud, so I came into the living room and my dad was in there shaking really bad,” Gillis said.

Neighbors across the street said they also heard the loud noise and the power flashed in their house.

Gillis said his dad went to the hospital as a precaution, but he was fully conscious after it happened. Dispatchers said it was non-life threatening.