Book chronicles teen’s life since lightning bolt left him dead on field

Coinciding with the celebration will be a book launch party for “In Lieu of Flowers, God Gave Us a Miracle: The True-Life Story Of Zach Sandy.” The book is written by Zach’s father, Russell “Bud” Sandy, and pastor, Doug Joseph.

Bud Sandy said the book about his son’s experience is written through a father’s perspective.

The book starts from the beginning when the bolt entered Zach’s head and shot through his body, melting his two shirts together and blowing his pants off, before it left his body through the bottom of his feet.

Zach lay dead on the ground “locked and rigid with his hair standing on end,” his father said.

Someone attempted CPR while waiting for an ambulance, but the 18-year-old was showing no signs of life.

“Smoke was rolling out of his nose and mouth,” his father said.

The ambulance arrived and emergency personnel attempted to shock him back to life, but still, Zach did not take a breath.

His father said the EMTs put their hands on him and began to pray. Minutes later, the ambulance doors swung open and someone said that Zach had come back to life — 30 minutes later.

Before being taken to Pittsburgh, Zach was transported to two different hospitals, but his father remembered doctors expecting the worst.

“I saw the look in those doctor’s eyes. They weren’t sure what was going on,” he said. “We were warned that his lungs may never work and that he suffered too many internal injuries.”

In Pittsburgh, Sandy’s burns started to heal “almost immediately,” miraculously revealing white skin and no blisters.

Just one week after being admitted to the hospital, he was sent to rehab.

Almost a year since the incident, Sandy is now taking classes to become a physical therapist assistant. He said he knows that some of his future patients will feel like giving up, as he once did.

“I think I could encourage them since I know what it feels like,” he said. “When you feel like there’s nowhere else you can turn, and you’ve done all you can do, it can be so much easier to hide under the blankets.”

He is also taking leadership classes to become a preacher, and speaks at various churches, to the homeless and to veterans about faith.

He said he is amazed that one year already has gone by.

“It feels like it just happened yesterday. I definitely learned that you have to take every day that you are given to do something productive because it can be gone in 20 seconds,” he said. “I know it’s very cliché, but it’s so true.”

There will be food, fellowship, fun, live music from his church and the new book also will be available at the event. There will also be a time of prayer and thanksgiving before the celebration from 2:30-3 p.m.

The book was released on June 20, and can be purchased from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and at the Best Care Pharmacy in Bridgeport. Those interested in purchasing the book may also contact Russell Sandy at (304) 695-3995.

Staff writer Antonia Cekada can be reached at (304) 626-1405 or by email at tcekada@exponent-telegram.com