A MAN struck by lightning with his children as he collected them from school last month is now out of a coma and speaking.
George Allen (36), his son Geordie (5) and daughter Georgha (7) were outside Killowen Primary School in Lisburn when they were injured in the "tragic, freak accident".
Parents and teachers had to use a defibrillator on both George and Geordie.
George was rushed to hospital and admitted to intensive care, while Geordie and Georgha were treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
After previously being discharged along with his sister, five-year-old Geordie had to undergo a minor operation on Wednesday.
However, speaking to the Irish News yesterday, Sharon Allen allayed fears over his condition.
"Everything went well and he is now back home," she said.
She described seven-year-old Georgha as her "top helper" and said she is also doing well at home.
Their father remains in the intensive care unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.
In a positive update yesterday, Mrs Allen said her husband, a self employed recycling processor, is improving but still has a long road ahead of him.
"Geordie (George) is out of his coma and can speak to me with a tube in his neck," she said.
Mr Allen's lungs aren't yet strong enough for the tube to be removed, but he is slowly making progress and all of his internal body organs have started working again.
"He's off all big machines which is amazing," Sharon said.
"No other change with him but it's still early days for what his body went though. It's amazing I've still got my family. Every day is still a fright.
"(George) will never give up and I won't give up on him."
In a statement a week after the lightning strike on June 7, the Allen family called for defibrillators to be available as standard in all schools.
"Had it not been for the fast actions of those at Killowen that day, the outcome would have been tragic," they said.
"It should be standard that all schools have defibrillators with the hope that they would never need to use it."
A fundraising initiative set up to support the Allen family has so far raised over £4,000.
