gulf shores: Father of Shoals boy struck by lightning talks to WAFF 48 News

Aug 2, 2006 10:55 PM

Only on WAFF 48 News: A remarkable story about a young man who beat the odds.

His vital signs showed he wouldn't make it.

But 16-year-old Adam Bradford was determined to fight death after being struck by lightning in Gulf Shores.

Lightning directly hit his left shoulder exiting through his feet, which were ankle deep in water.

Today he is playing the guitar and hopes to ride his motorcycle soon.

Doctor's call him a living miracle, a power higher than medicine.

Adam has come a long way since July 6th when he was vacationing with his mother in Gulf Shores.

Adam was hit directly by lightning.

Adam's mother immediately started CPR.

His father Tim said, "Two EMT's came out of nowhere, they were on vacation and took over, kept him alive til the ambulance got there."

But Adam had endured so much shock, that he flat-lined twice.

After receiving multiple shocks in a Baldwin County Hospital, Adam was back but was still in a coma.

A triangular burn mark covered his left shoulder, from his knees down, red and purple.

But eight hours after the trauma....

"The doctor came back in, checked his feet and his shoulder where the lightning supposedly entered and exited and there were no marks on him they were gone."

Saturday, Adam woke up.

"Why do you think he's here?" we asked Tim.

"I don't know. I don't have a clue but I'm glad there's that reason. "

After a week of rest and prayers from across the country to missionaries in Brazil... Adam was back at home in Elgins Crossroads.

His father said, "He's my whole life, everything I've done has been with him."

The odds of survival were not on Adam's side, but to this father, words can't describe his appreciation for the two EMT's on the beach that hot July day.

"I couldn't repay him but from what I hear that's not what they're there for anyway."

Adam still has some nerve and muscle damage to parts of the left side of his body, which doctors say should heal on its own.

Friday he was dismissed from physical therapy because he reached all the goals set for him. They say the rest is up to him.