Heartrending Tragedy Strikes as Father and Son are Hit by Lightning
An Unexpected Incident Shocks the Family
In a devastating incident, Matthew Boggs, aged 34, and his young son Grayson, who was only six years old, were struck by lightning. This father-son duo were simply walking hand-in-hand on their driveway in Valley Hills when the unfathomable happened.
They were accompanied by Matthew’s elder son, Elijah, for part of the journey home from the bus stop, but Elijah had left them shortly before the incident. Upon returning, he found his father and brother in an unexpected situation, initially unaware of the true magnitude of what had transpired.
In an interview, 11-year-old Elijah recalled, “I was petrified. I turned Grayson around, and he seemed to be smiling faintly. I initially thought they were joking around, but when I flipped my dad over, I saw his head bleeding and his face had already turned purple.”
The shocking episode unfolded before the eyes of the boys’ grandmother, who, along with neighbors, immediately rushed to assist her son and grandson.
Tragically, Matthew lost his life instantly due to the impact, while Grayson was urgently transported to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center in Temple.
A Fight for Grayson’s Life
Despite the bleak prognosis given by the doctors, the family held on to hope, praying for a miracle that sadly did not materialize.
To support Grayson’s battle for survival, the family started a GoFundMe page. They optimistically looked forward to a positive change in his condition. Unfortunately, several weeks after the catastrophic event on May 15, the doctors recommended disconnecting life support on June 13 due to a lack of improvement.
On May 19, a heartbreaking update was shared on the fundraising page: “Grayson has suffered a severe anoxic brain injury. The doctors believe that Grayson may not be able to walk, talk, eat, or even possibly see again.” The update further explained the challenges the family would face in providing total care for Grayson, including frequent appointments and therapies.
The post went on to describe a conference with Grayson’s medical team, where the doctors informed the family that Grayson’s current state would likely be his condition for the rest of his life.
Despite maintaining stability, Grayson’s health did not show signs of improvement. Three days after life support was withdrawn, the young boy passed away.
A Brave Decision by a Heartbroken Mother
Faced with an agonizing choice, his distressed mother, Kayla, made the decision to register Grayson as an organ donor.
Stephanie Burris, who initiated the fundraising campaign and continuously updated friends and family about Grayson’s condition, wrote about the painful decision to remove life support, “Please pray that we keep him comfortable at this time and pray for healing for the family. We may not fully understand God’s plan, but we know he has his arms wrapped around Grayson at this time.”
Matthew and Grayson are remembered with love and sorrow. Their tragic story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life.
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