Dad ‘blown up’ with his two kids ‘may have been hit because he had a metal plate in his chest’
George Allen, 37 and his five-year-old son are fighting for their lives following freak electrical strike during school sports day
A DAD struck by lightning as he picked up his two kids from school may have been hit because of the metal plate in his chest, it has been claimed.
George Allen, 37 and his five-year-old son are fighting for their life while his seven-year-old daughter is seriously ill after the freak electrical strike, which has been described as like “a bomb going off”.
Parents and pupils rushed to the aid of the family, who were struck down just yards from Mr Allen's jeep.
All three were unconscious as school staff dashed to the scene. The school's vice principal used a defibrillator in a bid to revive the critical dad of three.
A school sports event had been taking place at the time leaving the area was busy with parents and kids.
It's understood one line of inquiry is that George was using his mobile phone at the time.
One witness said: "Mr Allen was walking and talking on the phone and the two kids were with him.
"It was a huge bang like a bomb and they were all knocked off their feet. The children were stunned and then calling out and the man was quiet. He was resuscitated at the scene.
"It was shock, just a shock, just incredible and horrible the way it happened so fast." George's brother Jonathan also rushed to the scene after the freak accident.
Last night, health and social services officials confirmed that Mr Allen was in the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast and his condition was described as critical.
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His five-year-old son, who celebrated his birthday last week, was also described as critical while the seven-year-old girl's condition was serious but is not thought to be as severe.
All three were being treated for burns and other injuries. Mr Allen's wife Sharon rushed to her family's side as doctors worked to save their lives.
George's brother Jonathan said: "It was a one-in-a-million chance and he was in the wrong he wrong place at the at the wrong time.
"After hearing what happened I find it hard to believe he's still still alive. He basically got blown up. He actually dropped dead at the scene in front of the wee ones so thank God people came to help him to help him. Everyone has been very distressed.
"People were very brave to keep working on him because they could have been hit next.
"They worked on him for a full 40 minutes and managed to get his heart beating on its own again.
"My brother is a very sick man. The doctors say he's in a critical condition but we are keeping positive he will pull through. He has a lovely wife, Sharon, and brilliant kids so he has everything to live for."
A school worker added: "George is very well known in the area.
"The scene was like something from a horror movie. There was a loud bang as he was struck by lightning and then there was screaming.
"The rain was lashing, the lightning was still flashing and the thunder was roaring away.
"Geordie had collapsed on the ground still grasping his wee son's hand and his daughter was lying a bit further away from them.
"The panic was terrible.
SDLP councillor Pat Catney told the BBC: "It was just one of those freak tragic accidents that has stunned me and shocked me."
"We have to think of the family.
"I'm thinking of the young father and the children who were injured as well."
Parents of children at the school have taken to Facebook to wish the family well following the horror strike.
Lisa Elliot, whose children apparently attend the school, described the incident as "something you hear or see in a movie".
She wrote: "Omg, what an experience. My thoughts go out to everyone at Killowen Primary School today.
"Unfortunately someone got hit by lighting. This is something you hear or see in a move, not at my boys school."
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