Struck-By-Lightning METALLICA Fan Talks To Denver TV Station: Video Available

The Colorado teenager who was listening to METALLICA on his iPod when he was struck by lightning last Sunday (July 2) spoke to Denver's 9News.com about the experience. Watch the two-minute video report at this location (Windows Media).

17-year-old Jason Bunch of Castle Rock thought he would have time to finish mowing the lawn before the Sunday afternoon storm would force him to go inside.

"I figured I had 10 to 15 minutes to get the job done," said Bunch.

He was listening to METALLICA on his iPod. Then he blacked out.

"I just woke up with blood coming out of my ears not knowing what was going on," he said.

His earphones were nearly obliterated.

"I have burns following where the cord was the way down my chest. I ruptured my eardrums. My right ear, they're not quite sure if I'm going to get my hearing back or not," said Bunch.

Even though Bunch was just yards away from much taller objects, like his house and tall pine trees, the lightning came straight for him.

He hopes his experience will be a warning to others here in Colorado, which is third in the nation for lightning fatalities.

"You always see it off in the distance. You never think it's going to hit you," he said.

Many people have heard the suggestion that when thunder is hear within 30 seconds of a lightning flash it's time to get inside.

Experts say by then the lightning is within six miles, and it can travel much farther than that.

They say the time to get inside is just as soon you see lightning or hear thunder.

Jason Bunch now knows that a storm does not have to be directly overhead to be dangerous. He says the next time he sees lightening in the distance the yard work can wait.

"I'll be a lot more cautious next time," he said.