Three fishermen who were struck by lightning have said it is a miracle they are alive. Joe Ryan and father and son, Michael and Kieran Kavanagh, were competing in the annual New Ross District Angling Club three-day event over the weekend when they were thrown on to rocks by a massive bolt of lightning.
They were standing 200 yards apart when they were struck down within seconds of one another by the storm on Saturday evening.
Joe, a father of two, was knocked unconscious for more than 10 minutes while 14-year-old Kieran was thrown on to rocks on Hook Head.
"It was terrifying," said Joe last night. "We were all struck by the same bolt even though we were standing a good distance apart. It's a miracle we are here today."
Joe, Michael and Kieran were packing up their gear shortly before 9 p.m. on Saturday when they heard an enormous bang beside them.
"The next thing I knew I was thrown across the rocks. I don't remember anything else," said Joe. "There had been a thunderstorm brewing but we didn't think it was so close to us.
"The others that were there called the ambulances and we were brought to Wexford General Hospital. I was actually let go home the same night but we were very, very lucky.
"I was unconscious for close to nine or 10 minutes. I just remember a severe crack and it was very loud and it was like I got a wallop."
"The very least I can say is that I am lucky to be alive. I remember very little. There was a loud bang and I fell over on my hands and knees and I sort of got stuck to the rock," said Michael. "When I looked up I saw my son, Kieran, who had been standing with me, lying on the rocks and he was unconscious.
"He had blood on his head where he had hit it on one of the rocks. That put me into a tizzy. I wasn't totally knocked out so I managed to get over to him. Others called the ambulance but I was very, very worried. I really thought I had lost him."
Medics took X-rays and ECGs of Michael and Kieran but they have given them the all-clear.
"Kieran is a bit shaky and has sore arms. I have to admit if I saw a flash of lightning, I'd run. The fright of my son got to me more than anything," said Michael.