Austin Melton, 14-Year-Old Boy Struck By Lightning: "I Like Sparky" As A Nickname

Austin Melton, 14-Year-Old Boy Struck By Lightning: "I Like Sparky" As A Nickname

Last week, 14-year-old Oregon boy Austin Melton was struck by lightning at the edge of a parking lot at his high school.

He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition before being flown to Legacy Emanuel in Portland, where he was treated in the burn unit.

The teen-ager's father, Chuck Melton, told KTVZ-TV in Bend that the lightning struck his son's head. He suffered a broken eardrum and severe burns on his ankle.

On Monday's Today show, however, Austin said he was doing well and no longer feeling much pain. As for his new nickname at school, Austin said he'd prefer "Sparky."

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