'I feel like a train hit me.' Man shares miraculous story of survival after being hit by lightning

#lightning #eastidahonews #miracle
MACKAY - Jacob Behling doesn’t remember a thing.
All he knows is it was Wednesday evening, June 26, and he had been off work for a few hours. The 21-year-old Rigby man is a crusher who works near mines in Mackay and stays in a camper during the week. Around ten other guys work with him and some had gathered to have dinner.
“I was eating with my boss in his camper and I left the camper to go to mine, which is right next to his,” Behling tells EastIdahoNews.com. “They told me they heard a big bang and looked outside. I’m was on the ground right up against my truck next to my camper. They immediately came outside and checked on me.”
Behling had a faint pulse but his heart stopped beating, his coworkers later told him. His boss started CPR while another coworker called 911 and ran to get an AED.
Down the road, a farmer had seen a bolt of lightning strike the area where Behling was walking.
“He apparently is an EMT too and rushed over to help,” Behling recalls. “It’s pouring rain and they pulled me underneath the front of my fifth-wheel trailer to do CPR and put on the AED.”
An ambulance arrived and Behling was taken to the Mackay Airport where he was then airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
Behling’s supervisors tried to contact his mom in Rigby but her phone was on silent and she was visiting her mother.
“My 17-year-old son came and got me after Jacob’s safety director contacted by husband via cell phone. He said, ‘Mom, Jacob’s been hit by lightning. He’s on his way to EIRMC,” Holli Behling, Jacob’s mother, recalls.
Behling’s parents rushed to the hospital around 7:30 p.m. and found their son intubated and unconscious. He had cuts and scrapes on his body but Holly Behling says there were no obvious signs he had been hit by lightning.
Doctors did a full CT scan which showed Behling’s organs were all functioning and he had no broken bones.
“It was kind of scary but I was just grateful his heart was beating and that he most likely was going to be ok,” Holly Behling says.
Behling was transferred from the ER to the burn unit at EIRMC and woke up on Thursday morning.
“I remember waking up and I think the first person I remember seeing was my boss and his boss asking how I’m doing and telling me what happened,” Behling explains.
Around 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the United States each year but the odds of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost 90% of all lightning strike victims survive.
Jacob Behling hospital
After a four day hospital stay, Behling was released Monday to go home but he feels far from normal.
“I feel like a train hit me. My chest hurts, my head hurts, I have a hard time staying awake, I have really bad fatigue and a hard time focusing,” he says. “I can’t drive and have no appetite.”
Behling hopes to recover quickly and return back to the job site soon. His mom set up a GoFundMe to help cover her son’s expenses while he’s unable to work.
She’s thankful for the many people who helped save his life.
“I can’t begin to thank everybody enough - the whole EMT team in Mackay that were willing to go out in the middle of a thunderstorm and his boss and Joel, his coworker,” Holli Behling says. “I can’t imagine how they must have felt seeing him on the ground with lightning all around and being willing to risk their own lives and getting hit themselves to save my son. It’s just remarkable.”
Behling adds, “I owe them a lot. That’s for sure. If it weren’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
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[@marth6271]

Its so refreshing to see good, hard working,sane, non homicidal folks talking to you. Excellent interview (as always) and what a fortunate young man…

[@user-viceroy]

Well said 👍

[@marjoriecorcora7617]

I want to shout out to the owner of the crusher for making your crew take the necessary courses that ultimately saved this young man’s life. Thank you for being a great boss. Good leadership is key to success for everyone at your company. Kudos to all.

[@InvestigatingDavidCrowley]

This young man is lucky to be alive. Praying he recovers fully.

[@annemarieallaire6564]

Such a blessing that his crew started resuscitation and called for Emergency Personnel and got him to the hospital ASAP!! He is doing well for such a horrific accident. He is amazing & able to communicate so well. He will continue to heal with time. His Mom is so strong. Thank you Nate for this interview as it shows how strong he is!❤

[@candiceg6046]

What a phenomenal company to take safety so seriously and not cut corners. This is a company others should emulate.

[@cricket47222]

My dad got caught out in a storm and struck with lightning when he was getting hay up. It knocked his boots off his feet. He didn't remember any of it, which is probably a blessing. Thank God he survived. I thank God you survived too, Jacob. 🙏 ❤

[@jimskeuh]

how do you even survive a direct strike?it's so hot it will burn you from the inside. makes me think this guy wasn't hit directly but indirectly

[@terihaynes-yf9jb]

Blessings prayers sent.

[@MarciaB12]

Hard to believe anyone could survive, isnt it?

[@TifDaJeweler]

@@jimskeuh most people who are struck by lightning arent directly struck the ground or an object near them is struck and the electricity is sent through the ground in the surrounding area.

[@monicakoenig5921]

@@TifDaJeweler This is true, a friend was hit by lightning while he was on a utility pole when he was at work, he survived, but wasn’t the same after. I would think with speech therapy,he would recover, he sounds tired.

[@rebeccaketner816]

Great company to work for! They had an AED & trained employees in CPR - that saved this young man’s life.

[@masunshine2970]

Wow, God Bless this young man. I pray for him he has a 100% recovery.

[@jerrilynnwoolston9734]

Critical Care RN for many years working with cardiac arrests 🙋‍♀️. AEDs and bystander CPR are priceless. Brain damage starts when there is more than 4minutes without oxygen/ circulation. Even in metropolitan areas, EMS arrival averages 5 minutes at best. AEDs are now available for about $1,500(Amazon). PRICELESS investment for companies. Even if you look at things from a business perspective this is less expensive than a critical care EMS transport. 1 day in ICU averages >$4,000. Lifetime disability or death is incalculable. Way to go H&K, EMS trained neighbor, and co-workers responders 👏👏👏👏

[@tonyag69]

We bought an AED since me and my husband are getting older my husband is 58 and I'm 54. When we go on a trip where we're driving we take it with us in case we come upon someone that needs it.

[@nutrirebyanaluarrivillaga2646]

@@tonyag69 wow! Please tell us more about it!

[@SarahPriceHancock]

Asystole is not shockable.

[@maxbang1813]

This young man clearly has a purpose in life. So glad he is doing so well at this point. His co-workers and responders did an amazing job. Praying for his continued healing.

[@patti6178]

Good on this company and its employees for enforcing and taking first aid training. This is a huge win for those who hope to save lives by teaching first aid. And a huge win for those who fought and continue to fight to have AEDs accessible in the workplace

[@Angela.M21]

Praying for this young man to have a full recovery.

[@colleenlally-ross7105]

Not only is he totally adorable but one tough cookie! Amazing action by his co-workers 🙏👍

[@kellylestig4941]

WOW!! Incredible story! He’s still here for a reason!

[@VioletJoy]

Not really. People just like to think that. He's here because he was able to get medical care. About 90% of people survive and recover, so it's very common. What a crazy thing to happen. It's not uncommon, but it's crazy.

[@kellylestig4941]

@@VioletJoy well you wouldn’t know anything about that because obviously you don’t believe in God and his divine intervention

[@whatdoyoulivefor735]

he's young and he'll make a full recovery. sleep, sleep, limited screens, zero drugs/alcohol, good food and sleep.

[@moniqueengleman873]

You sound like my father who was a doctor 😂😂 You will live..... He has a long road to recovery. Yet lucky to be alive

[@1blestmomamoe472]

It wasn’t his time, Gods got plans for this amazing young man🙏🏼💙🙏🏼

[@toothless2690]

God wasn't involved please man!

[@blueskysailing]

I agree. God has a plan for his life. Amen! 🙏❤

[@VioletJoy]

People recover about 90% of the time.

[@readingoutpost4545]

​@@toothless2690 God is ALWAYS involved in our lives. He is interested in our salvation.

[@montanalilac]

He sounds so dazed still. Wow. Also, kudos to the company for having the emergency equipment and training of workers.

[@bettysmith4641]

Praying full recovery for Jacob 🙏

[@sallyzimmerman4478]

Many years ago, I was struck by lightening. I ended being paralyzed on my left side. To this day I do not have short memory. I gained back use of my left side over the years.

[@william_mac]

That's incredible. I'd like to hear more about your story. Where were you when you got struck?

[@rhearomberg4495]

My old science teacher was struck by lightning twice! He survived both strikes.

[@duchessmartinez2035]

My previous neighbor was struck twice. He runs inside every time their is a storm. I'm praying you recover fully.

[@ShadowSoul92]

How unlucky this boy was to be struck by lightning! The luck is that there was someone present and who knew how to give him first aid... I can't imagine a mother receiving a phone call telling her that her son has been struck by lightning and that he is in hospital in, probably, serious conditions...

[@VioletJoy]

Right??

[@stacyfishback7893]

Jacob, you LITERALLY had the energy zapped out of you! Rest and feel better, young man! 🙏

[@saimaleon7115]

Very impressed by this company’s safety training. They did everything by the book when needed. This young guy was clinically dead and their training and having the right equipment handy saved his life.

[@Juhani139]

Glad he's ok. Wishing him all the best during recovery.

[@lesare6509]

Strong & young is on his side, Lord bless this man with good recovery & keep everyone strong. Thank you VM to the friends & personnel who saved his life. 🙏❤️

[@southernsass2937]

Incredible young man. I wish you a complete recovery 🙏

[@melissagregory5100]

Bless his heart❤️. Walking miracle!

[@NavyWife]

Praying that he doesn’t have any internal injuries that can be long lasting.🙏

[@Jeweleye62]

Hope Jacob makes a full recovery! Well done to his colleagues and the rest of the team for saving his life. ❤

[@Mrscvbuzz]

Wow…as a mom and a critical care nurse, my heart is just bursting at his amazing survival and recovery this quickly and everyone who saved him and reacted so quickly!!! 💗💗💗👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@judykarman4869]

Prayers for Jacob for a full recovery over time. What an incredible articulate young man. 🙏💖

[@tinawaggoner1031]

Thank you Jesus Christ for keeping your hand on this man.

[@gayemarianesfox2405]

That’s right! It’s not luck! 🙏🏻

[@mydyisgod]

@@gayemarianesfox2405, Amen it sure is not luck at all. God’s grace and mercy was all over this young man.

[@moniqueengleman873]

AEDs saving lives again over and over. Please become familiar with these machines. It does more than any CPR.

[@FlyingMonkeys69]

You are one tough and brave young man. If anyone can make a significant recovery it is you !

[@Wendy-sn3mn]

Incredible story, thank goodness for his co-workers quick response and for the company actually having the equipment and training needed. Sending love and prayers to this young man and his mom ❤🙏 from Wales in the UK

[@Lyla219]

What a wonderful story. I am in tears hearing his mom and how terrific his coworkers, EMTs and hospital staff were. Prayers for his continued recovery.

[@mamabear1324]

Wow this guy is strong for what he went through even for going to an interview before picking up his prescriptions.

[@tracysires2234]

Incredible that he survived and was released from the hospital so quickly!

[@shannabauer]

Our hearts and prayers go out to Jacob and his family. A huge Thank You to all of the folks involved in keeping this young man alive. Thank you, Nate for bringing this to our attention.

[@LisaFerguson-lw8il]

Wow! How wonderful that all his colleagues have training in life-saving skills. It's everybody's greatest fear during thunder storms. I wish him a good recovery.

[@debralawler-nt9si]

I've heard of survivors before but they loose memory of the occurrence and it's life altering on health...prayers he recovers fully and he doesn't have health issues in the future

[@kristy137]

Oh man.... I really hope he recovers over time. I'm glad he doesn't remember some things so that there isn't ptsd episodes. Bless the ppl who helped out. Prayers for healing

[@mmmmlllljohn]

His co-workers were key in saving his life as were the EMT’s. Kudos to them all for doing the right thing in this crazy emergency.

[@3DogKnight751]

God Bless Jacob and help him fully recover. Blessings to all those involved who acted quickly to save his life.

[@KellyK-il2bk]

I used to go to Tom Skilling’s weather seminar in Chicago. There was a Dr at Loyola medical Center who just took care of lightning strike victims who spoke.. She taught that thunder should be treated like tornados. Take shelter.

[@BobbiGail]

He still has a lot of time to recover- this was just the other day! How incredible. Gotta appreciate his chill manner. What a cool kid. ❤❤❤ 🎉 Hoping the best for him.

[@Nonna0228]

How blessed you are ❤️ amazing response with just the right people around you.

[@moniqueengleman873]

I am from CA and I watch you all the time. Thank you for such good reporting 👏 🙏 Poor guy was knocked into last year. He is weak as a kitten Relax and make a speedy recovery. His brain had some serious electroshock therapy

[@lisajel52]

Wow, you are one in a million, kid! Not many people survive what you’ve been through and even though I don’t know you, I’m happy you survived. Bless your co-workers for helping you when you needed it most! What a great story to tell your kids! Wishing you all the best on your recovery.

[@babystepsgarden6162]

Praying for you, Jacob, for your full and complete recovery! God is so awesome! ❤ ❤ ❤ 🙏🙏🙏🙌🙌🙌 God was with my husband in like manner. He was in a horrific accident on the road two miles from our house out in the country. In the first car that stopped were two paramedics who actually witnessed the accident. My husband's neck was broken. But, Praise God, he has made a complete recovery! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

God Is So 👍 ❤🙏

[@marygoff3332]

My husband's best friend was hit by lightning while getting something out of the trunk of his car and was disabled for the rest of his life with health issues.

[@leiilima808]

God bless you Jacob.💯 praying complete healing and restoration of your body physically, mentally and emotionally in Jesus Christ❤ Aloha from Hilo, Hawaiʻi🌺

[@trailbay]

My partner has been hit twice. The first time, a ground bolt that came up the driveway and through his feet. The second was in the Rockies with strike to the side of the head and exit wounds on his ankles,CPR was needed. There might be long term medical effects that pop up as with our case.

[@jimskeuh]

i'm curious how do you even survivie a direct strike? the temperature is unsurvivable of a lighting strike.

[@myishasweeney7068]

@@jimskeuhthere’s a older guy who was struck years ago who now has his necklace melted into his body he survived because of his necklace

[@1981pjt]

Wow im so glad he's alive and hopefully he gets a full recovery what a crazy story 🤯

[@catgivens]

Oh my goodness! Thanks for sharing this story. He's got a long road to recovery. Thanks to those heroes who saved him.

[@lisagrafton2529]

I got goosebumps listening to him read the alert! What a great job to focus on safety, and make that'll employees become EMT certified, and to have the heart AEmachine!

[@mimi7591]

God bless this young man, what a witness of a miracle 🙏🏻

[@nrivera4380]

Thank goodness Jacob is going to fully recover! Thanks for all the trained rescuers.

[@sheilaanderson321]

What an awful thing to have happen. Wishing nothing but good things for this young man.

[@brigitte9999]

I was just talking to a man struck by lightning. It fused his teeth together maybe because of fillings(?)

[@william_mac]

My heart bleeds for Jacob. He's clearly on his road to recovery. Here in Lewiston among the rolling hills of wheat fields we get lightning each year. At times the fire department is out there waiting. Sometimes the thunder rattles my windows. It's actually horrifying. Always stay indoors!!!! Get well Jacob!

[@kimtaylor5522]

Lewiston Idaho? I’m from clarkston!!

[@william_mac]

@@kimtaylor5522 Hi neighbor

[@kimtaylor5522]

@@william_mac 👋

[@bonnielucas1941]

Sending Prayers of Healing & Peace 🩷🙏🩵

[@carriewoodburry8923]

Wow,prayers for him and his Mom.

[@lisagreenleaf3859]

I said a prayer for him to recover quickly and completely in Jesus name Amen 🙏 ❤️ 🙏

[@BamaCyn]

Prayerfully with time Jacob will make a complete recovery. 🙏

[@joyphillips9255]

Hello Nate . Prayers for the family 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mydyisgod]

This!! I cried. Bless this young man Lord and I pray for complete recovery.

[@aoife984]

Thanks for all the men who work with him and the farmer/RMT down the road for saving him. Blessings and good wishes to Jacob for a speedy recovery. Mom is one tough Mom to be able to keep her cool drive safely and get to her son. Such a proud mom and extremely thankful for everyone that helped him. Bless Mom Holli and son Jacob.

[@cope841]

Glad he's ok! Whew! Sad to say, once it hits you, it seeks you out, again and again. He'll need to be lots more careful going forward.

[@iralien2]

Praise God he survived thanks to his coworkers. ❤️❤️Prayers for total recovery.🙏

[@chvid2009]

Glad you are doing better. Glad you had good people there to help you.

[@DonnaLena1]

He’s obviously struggling to talk and look at Nate! Let him go home! Good luck, young man 🙏🏻

[@careip]

I was wondering what he usually sounds like.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Wow very rare event glad he survived. Very scary.

[@critterscute3642]

I hope you recuperate fully, Jacob. You’re a terrific young man with a bright future ahead (not lightning bright, sunshine bright 😎). God bless you and your continued recovery 🙏❤️

[@stayahsome]

Nate you are very tactful and eloquent interviewer! What a crazy adventure for this young man. Prayers for his recovery❤

[@babystepsgarden6162]

To Jacob's Mom : If Jacob's ear hurts, you might check his teeth. I had an earache for years... But it was an injured tooth.

[@outbackchick5111]

Or Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

[@gailhawthorne8856]

He probably clenched his jaw

[@teribelleau137]

WOW...Incredible incident and results! Such a handsome, and clearly remarkable young man! God Bless all involved. ❤😊

[@leelowe4388]

Godbless❤🎉 youre here for a biger Purpous❤ God loves you❤

[@animalsareourangels93]

He will make a recovery! I was 12 and I was singing for the church choir but we had a picnic. I was standing by a car and touching it and there was another young girl but she was sitting on the front end of the car. A bad storm came and all I remember is hearing this really loud crackle in my ear and I do remember my knees giving out and that’s all I remember. The girl that was sitting, On the front of the car, she passed right away. Very sad. And another time I remember as a young girl maybe 10 years of age I had a really bad middle ear infection. It was 3 AM and I was sitting in our kitchen because I was in so much pain and crying and I did not want to wake anybody up. We lived in a basement apartment and a really bad storm started. The lightning hit inside the kitchen where I was and it melted this tiny TV we had in there. Again I just remember my mother tapping on my cheek asking me if I was OK. I was just stunned…. did not know what was going on. And lastly, I was 11 years of age and my father who was a abusive alcoholic was too drunk and couldn’t get his driving license permit for the following day….So he told me to go and I went on my bike and on my way home I just remember my bike being hit. I don’t remember anything after that. The next thing I know I am in the hospital again and I guess what happened was a truck hit the back of my bike and I went flying in the air and I hit the pavement and skid. I had a concussion I had broken all of my ribs on the right side. My shoulder and my leg was broken. It had to be the weirdest feeling because one or at least I didn’t feel any pain whatsoever and have no recollection of anything. I think our body tries to compensate for the anxiety and stress. I pray he will do a full recovery. He’s still young he just needs to take it easy for a while.

[@CSIPiper]

My great grandpa was a dairy farmer. He passed in his 90s from being struck by lightning on the farm while he was trying to batten down the hatches. ⚡️

[@suzeauster2223]

Greetings from Florida 🐬 Also known as the 🌩 Lightening Capital where on average 5-10 die Yearly 😢 Thank God 🙏 Your ✨ a Sirvivor ❤ Happy Safe 4th 🎉 Everyone ❤

[@cinder7183]

Yes, it hit my car and destroyed the electrical system

[@deebaldwin2011]

He's very lucky to be alive. 1997 my 42yo cousin went out to roll up his truck windows. He was struck my lightning, killed instantly 💔

[@bytesback.]

Well he seems to work for a good company.

[@Mma_wth]

Lucky guy😊 healing time! Now.

[@dawnkinateder9617]

The father of one of my classmates growing up was struck by lightning twice. And survived. No joke. He should have bought a lottery ticket.

[@valeriesmith3388]

This was a miracle filled with God's angels. Remarkable story. Information for people to learn the importance of being prepared in first aid. I hope you will follow up on his healing progress. I always think when someone overcomes a life threatening event they have a higher purpose. God bless❤

[@happybergner9832]

Yikes!! What a miracle!!

[@rachelmatheson1363]

Praying for further recovery for this awesome young man!

[@Ozzygirl953]

Such a lucky young man. Very close friend of mine lost her 15 year old grandson after being hit by lightning. He went away with some of his football buddies and adults for end of season football win, spent a weekend at the beach, beautiful sunny day, one dark cloud came over the sand dunes while the boys were surfing, he came into shore called to his mates, pointed to the cloud coming over. He put his board down, took off his wet suit grabbed his towel then only one flash of lightning and he was struck. His mates performed CPR for 45 minutes until the Careflight team arrived. Unfortunately he was unable to be revived. He is now surfing the clouds 😢

[@jodeming5088]

What a lucky young man. I wish him well and a complete recovery. Thankful for all that helped him. Nate please update us on this young man’s progress. It will take awhile but his recovery will come.

[@norma9975]

Bless this young man ❤ hope you get better soon

[@believingtoday]

Remarkable. Praise God for all things to come together to help Jacob survive.

[@carla-GeauxTigers]

When my husband was a Boy Scout leader a young boy’s tent was hit by lightning and he passed after several attempts to save him This young man is lucky I wish him a speedy recovery and pray for full healing for him

[@valeriesmith3388]

What a hard experience for your husband and the other boys. I hope he takes comfort in knowing he did what he could❤

[@christinemiller7238]

A company that requires that training is one I would work for and recommend!

[@mariedriskell8752]

Great interview. Please do an update, thank you.

[@user-ch5hb7li8n]

Hi Jacob and Nate. Good to see you both!!!!!!!!

[@jesusislord2457]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 🙌 I hope this experience brings you closer to the one who loves you most; Jesus! 🕊️ Share your testimony with a world who wants nothing to do with Him!✌️💖🙏🤜

[@susanclow5384]

I'm glad he survived and I think over time he will feel better. All the people that helped him was amazing and they did a good job.