A man who was reportedly struck by lightning while at work Wednesday is said to be on the road to recovery.
Emergency crews responded to a scene near Bonnie Doon Park in south Edmonton Wednesday afternoon after reports someone had been hit by lightning.
Workers said the man was part of a road crew for O’Hanlon Paving Ltd. doing work near 92 Avenue and 94 Street.
They said he was holding a level when he tried to find shelter under a tree. The other workers said he was leaning against the tree when the lightning hit it. They said it blew the bark right off the tree.
His co-workers said the man fell to the ground shaking and they ran over to help and called an ambulance.
Edmonton Fire Rescue said it was called at 1:45 p.m. It was reported that a tree was struck by lightning and a man was standing underneath. Edmonton Fire Rescue was not sure if the man was hit by the bolt of lightning itself.
The man was treated by EMS on scene and taken to hospital. Alberta Health Services said he was in stable condition.
An ambulance was seen driving away from the area shortly after 2 p.m.
On Thursday, a supervisor on site said the man was released from the hospital and doing OK. He said the man who was struck wasn’t a new employee and had been working in paving for years.
READ MORE: Edmonton battered with heavy rain and hail during thunderstorm
Environment Canada had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the city at approximately 2 p.m.
Heavy rain, cracks of thunder and bolts of lightning covered the south side and even resulted in a few power outages. Hail the size of large pebbles was also seen coming down hard in southeast Edmonton.
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