Bill Isles, Wichita Man, Struck By Lightning Hours After Buying Mega Millions Lottery Tickets

As the adage goes: you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the Mega Millions jackpot.

For Bill Isles, a 48-year-old Wichita, Kan. man, that saying became painfully true on Thursday, according to KCTV-5 News.

After buying three tickets for Friday's Mega Millions lottery jackpot, Reuters reports, Isles was walking to his car when he said to a friend that he had "a better chance of getting struck by lightning" than winning the $640 million.

Just hours later, Isles, who KCTV-5 News reports in the video above is a storm spotter with the National Weather Service and was operating a ham radio at the time, was struck by lightning outside his home.

"My whole body was twitching," Isles told KAKE News. "My radio had flown a little further ahead of me. I managed to grab it and call out."

According to The Wichita Eagle, a fellow storm spotter heard him and called emergency officials, who responded and took Isles to the hospital. He was released on Friday.

Luckily, he wasn't struck directly and didn't suffer any burns, according to The Eagle, although he told KAKE that he still has muscle spasms.

According to the National Weather Service, lightning strikes are responsible for about 55 reported deaths per year in the United States. About ten percent of those who are struck by lightning are killed.

You have a 1 in 775,000 chance of getting struck by lightning in a given year, while the odds of winning Friday's record jackpot were 1 in 176 million.

The New York State Department of Health advises those who find themselves in thunder or lightning storms to seek shelter immediately. When you're inside, be sure to stay away from open windows as well as sinks, showers, toilets and appliances, as lightning can "flow through these..." and "'jump' to a person," according to the Department of Health. Don't use landlines connected to the wall as the current can flow through the phone, although you can use cordless phones or cell phones.

If you're in a car, it's best to roll the windows up and stay inside.

For more, including what to do if you find yourself unable to seek shelter in a lightning storm as well as how to help people who've been struck, click over to the New York State Department of Health.

From our partners

• 10 Of The Worst Wildfires In U.S. History - Mother Nature Network
• 5 Energy Projects Being Backed By The U.S. Government - Mother Nature Network
• The Stunning Rise In California Solar Generation - EarthTechling

Comments

[gneep]

11:07 AM on 04/04/2012

The Exact reason I never play the lottery: I've already been hit by lightening! (not kidding)

[adictgamer]

01:03 PM on 04/03/2012

This should only be news if it was a lotto winner who was struck by lightning.

[sistaelle]

10:16 PM on 04/02/2012

They failed to mention that he didn't win either.

[chuychrist]

05:21 PM on 04/02/2012

I believed this story yesterday but my girlfriend just told me I got April Fooled!

What have I been saying for years, don't believe everything you read. Good one HP!

[GuitarKeith71]

04:50 PM on 04/02/2012

What are the odds of winning the lottery the same day that you are struck by lightning??

[sistaelle]

10:16 PM on 04/02/2012

Big enough that he didn't win.

[crankyCrackPot]

04:11 PM on 04/02/2012

Lottery is for the statistically challenged.

[charvak]

03:51 PM on 04/02/2012

'You have a 1 in 775,000 chance of getting struck by lightning in a given year'
Not if you are a storm spotter with the National Weather Service.

[ThinkCreeps]

03:59 PM on 04/02/2012

The key bit seems to have been carrying a large antenna in a storm.

[rrzeus26]

01:05 PM on 04/02/2012

Hope he gets well. But it seems he beat the odds before the drawing

[right2speak3]

01:02 PM on 04/02/2012

He survived? I think I'd rather get bolted by lightening and survive, than win the lotto, there would be more people out to get you after winning all that money.

[Revan0942]

12:04 PM on 04/02/2012

I hope this guy gets better.

[smp276dp]

12:02 PM on 04/02/2012

And he didn't win. That is sad and freaky all in one.

[Nola cajun]

11:40 AM on 04/02/2012

I just realized this waswritten on april fools haha

[Max Load]

11:02 AM on 04/02/2012

Be careful what you wish for?

[Lynne B]

11:55 AM on 04/02/2012

He wished to be struck by lightning?

[tennisguy]

10:36 AM on 04/02/2012

There should be some type of payoff for a guy who actually gets struck by lightning. I think there would be strong support for this.

[Emilybare]

10:45 AM on 04/02/2012

No cause then you'd have people clawing and fighting their way to a mountain top or something trying to get struck.

[tennisguy]

11:23 AM on 04/02/2012

Right! Or people would somehow fake lightning burns to the body.

[GuitarKeith71]

04:55 PM on 04/02/2012

I agree but, who is gonna fund it?? Insurance companies most have an act of God clause to keep them from being liable for these sorts of things. Sad but true.

[tennisguy]

05:11 PM on 04/02/2012

Insurance companies would pay for this. For instance, a hurricane is an act of god, and damage from it would be covered if the policy covers this damage.

[leephoenixriser]

10:20 AM on 04/02/2012

the guy looked like popeye, he sure could use a spinach nip and tuck.