By Ralph Ellis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Copyright 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ALTLANTA, Ga. — A construction worker who was brought back to life by emergency medical technicians after being struck by lightning was in critical condition Friday at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“He was dead,” said Dr. Ian Greenwald, medical director for Sandy Springs Fire and Rescue.
Lightning hit Primitivo Badillo-Lopez, 29, of Duluth about 3 p.m. Thursday as he and other men working on a roof prepared to seek shelter from a storm, said Lt. Steve Rose, Sandy Springs police spokesman.
Workers used a forklift to move Badillo-Lopez to the ground. EMTs found him not breathing and without a pulse when they arrived from a fire station less than a mile away, Greenwald said.
EMTs performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and Badillo-Lopez’s breathing and heartbeat returned, Greenwald said.
“This is a great example that CPR works,” Greenwald said.