Although the myth is widely believed, the video used to demonstrate the origins of the piercing/lightning strike myth was completely fake.
Firstly, electricity won't travel through rubber bottomed shoes, so the guy was insulated. Secondly, if it had, it would have melted the rubber (and his feet). Lightning strikes leave a distinctive burn pattern, known as a Lichtenberg burn. The pattern left on the skin resembles tree branches, or a bolt of lightning. Lightning cannot cut clothes. The supposed victim's clothes appeared to have been shredded with a razor blade rather than burnt. The guy's metal earring was unaffected. Any piercings would have become magnetised or burning hot, not magically disappear. The young man appeared more drunk than injured. And most tellingly, no-one was in much of a rush to get him medical care. Thousands of volts to the chest requires emergency care, not a walk with a little help, and a chat on camera.
Firstly, electricity won't travel through rubber bottomed shoes, so the guy was insulated. Secondly, if it had, it would have melted the rubber (and his feet). Lightning strikes leave a distinctive burn pattern, known as a Lichtenberg burn. The pattern left on the skin resembles tree branches, or a bolt of lightning. Lightning cannot cut clothes. The supposed victim's clothes appeared to have been shredded with a razor blade rather than burnt. The guy's metal earring was unaffected. Any piercings would have become magnetised or burning hot, not magically disappear. The young man appeared more drunk than injured. And most tellingly, no-one was in much of a rush to get him medical care. Thousands of volts to the chest requires emergency care, not a walk with a little help, and a chat on camera.