6-Year-Old Was Holding Father’s Hand When He Was Struck By Lightning, Family Shares Tragic Update

Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in June 2023.

In a heartbreaking tragedy, a lightning bolt has claimed the lives of a father and his six-year-old son in Texas. Grayson Boggs, a young boy of just six, was being picked up from his school bus by his father, Matthew, aged 34, on May 15 when a devastating lightning strike hit them, taking Matthew’s life instantly.

Paramedics rushed Grayson to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition, battling brain damage for over a month before he succumbed to his injuries on June 16.

The heart-wrenching incident unfolded as Matthew was picking up his sons from the school bus, and they were walking down the driveway of their family home in Valley Mills, Texas.

The grief-stricken grandmother, Angela Boggs, revealed the poignant moment when father and son shared their love just moments before the tragic lightning strike. “(Matthew had just got done telling Grayson that he loved him, he said ‘I love you buddy,’ that’s when the lightning came down,” Angela recounted, speaking to KWTX. She added, “I always took care of him, because he is the one God gave to me. Now my duty is to take care of my grandbabies.”

Grayson was immediately placed on life support in a coma after the lightning strike, and doctors later confirmed he had sustained a brain injury due to oxygen deprivation.

The family, devastated and praying for a recovery, saw some signs of hope as the little boy displayed improvement in recent weeks, even managing to breathe on his own and being taken off the donor list.

But the unimaginable grief deepened when, almost a month after the lightning strike, doctors informed the family that Grayson’s condition would not improve, leading to the heart-wrenching decision to remove him from the ventilator. A day later, he passed away around 5 a.m. on June 16.

In the days leading up to his passing, Grayson’s family posted updates on his condition on a GoFundMe page set up to help with funeral expenses, emphasizing the strength they had shown during this difficult time.

Grayson’s younger brother, Elijah, who was just a few feet away when the lightning struck, recalled the harrowing moments after the incident, describing his fear and the painful sight of his father and brother in the aftermath.

First responders arrived on the scene to find both father and son unresponsive. The intensity of the lightning strike had even caused them to lose their shoes.

This heartbreaking incident highlights the unpredictable and devastating nature of lightning strikes, particularly in states like Texas, where they are more frequent. It serves as a sobering reminder for individuals and families to stay informed and prepared to minimize the risk of such tragedies in the future.

Sources: Daily Mail