A gamer’s electrifying livestream took a terrifying turn when a lightning bolt struck outside his home, sending a surge through his plugged-in headset and shocking viewers, and himself.
“Lightning can enter homes through wiring and plumbing, and any device plugged into a wall becomes a potential danger point during a storm,” said John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council.
Photo Credit: Pixabay/Ron van den Berg
The incident happened around 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, in Holly Springs, North Carolina.
Chrispymate, as he’s known online, was broadcasting live on Twitch when the screen suddenly flashed white and a deafening crack filled the audio.
In the video, shown here in this AccuWeather report, Chrispymate leaps from his chair, rips off his headphones, and bolts off camera. “Bro, I just got struck by lightning,” he gasped before abruptly ending the stream.
He later returned to assure fans he was unharmed, describing how he felt the surge travel through his earbuds.
While it may sound like a freak accident, lightning experts say it’s a real — and preventable — danger.
Lightning can infiltrate residences via electrical wiring and plumbing systems, the National Lightning Safety Council says.
As a result, any device connected to an electrical outlet poses a potential risk during a storm, including:
- Telephones and earbuds.
- Computers and gaming consoles.
Experts urge everyone to unplug devices and avoid using wired electronics during thunderstorms.
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