An Averill Park teenager who was struck by lightning Friday night at the Saratoga County Fair is at home recovering. Our Kaitlyn Ross caught up with her and her family to see how she's doing.
AVERILL PARK, N.Y. -- Kelli Neal said, "I turned around, and after that, I don't remember anything."
The 15-year-old from Averill Park suffered a direct hit Friday night at the Saratoga County Fair. According to EMTs on the scene, the bolt entered through her mouth and came out her foot.
Mom Debbie Neal said, "The paramedics told me that she did go into full cardiac arrest, but they watched the whole thing. They were standing at the gate when she was coming in, thank God or else she wouldn't be here right now."
Kelli's heart actually stopped that night, and the only reason the EMTs were close enough to save her was almost by accident.
An Averill Park teenager who was struck by lightning Friday night at the Saratoga County Fair is at home recovering. Our Kaitlyn Ross caught up with her and her family to see how she's doing.
Kelli said, "I heard thunder so we started to run to the car, and we ran to the gate. I saw the ambulance so I figured that was not the gate we came in through."
After being rushed to the hospital, Kelli made a quick recovery and was released after just two days. Friends and neighbors have been visiting nonstop, giving her a cape and calling her Super Girl, as well as offering more traditional methods of support.
"This flower is from the nurse at Albany Med," said Kelli. "She gave it to me when I was feeling really sick."
Kelli's room is filled with get well cards from friends who said they still can't believe what happened, and even some of the doctors in the case said they're shocked at how quickly she recovered.
Debbie said, "He just kept saying, wow, every time he looked at her, you know, was amazed that she recovered that quick and she was just sitting there in his office."
And the doctors aren't the only ones who think she's lucky. Kelli's grandfather put in his two cents as well.
Debbie said, "He told her that you have two things that you have one in a million chances of getting -- one is being struck by lightning, the other is winning the lottery. He was a little disappointed she picked the lightning over the lottery, but we're still going to work on the lottery."