Chances of being struck by lightning are rare, but even rarest are the stories of those who were able to survive them.
Referee Charlie Panes is one of those stories.
Referee struck by lightning
The 24-year-old official was overseeing a match in Bago City, Philippines, when nature hit him.
The action captured on video shows how the lighting first struck an acacia tree before ricocheting toward the ref, in a sequence of events that probably ended up saving his life.
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Panes was assisted immediately on the ground by the medical staff present in the match and was later rushed to the local hospital, where he is now in stable condition.
Speaking from his bed in the hospital, Panes told local reporters how he felt when the lightning struck him.
"My body felt very hot, and suddenly, I lost consciousness," he said. "I'm relieved I am alive, as the lightning could have killed me or anyone else. As soon as I recover, I will continue my refereeing duty and finish this game."
