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Man suffers 3rd-degree burns after 3 struck by lightning

Three people were struck by lightning in Peachland.

One man is still in the hospital with severe burns.

The bolt hit the group outside a home during Wednesday’s storms.

Leland Lyles, who was outside during the storms explains, “It was a bright flash. It happened so quick.”

Lyles said his friend, Reggie Butler was knocked to the ground unconscious.

“There was no pulse. There was no breathing at the time,” Lyles said.

Two other men, a friend and Butler’s son, were also struck. They weren't badly hurt.

Lyles said the friend managed to crawl to where Reggie was, and started giving him CPR.

During that chaos, people frantically called 911.

Butler and his friend were rushed to the hospital.

Butler has third-degree burns from his neck down his chest. The hair on his head to his torso are now gone.

His friend was treated and released.

Butler’s son didn't need medical treatment.

The lightning strike was so intense, it burned a hole into the ground.

Lyles said seeing what happened to his friend, is a wake-up call.

“You never know. You have to spend every day with your loved ones like it's your last one,” he said.

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