A South Carolina man holding an umbrella just had a near death experience when a bolt of lightning hit just inches from where he was walking. The chilling moment took place last Thursday and was captured by surveillance cameras at the South Carolina school where he works as a guidance counselor in Horry County.

“Boom, heard a loud noise, I seen a bright flash and felt a little static through my body,” said Romulus McNeill, who added that he was walking to his car when the lightning hit and that he’s still in shock that he survived.

“I’m super blessed. I don’t use the word lucky, I use the word blessed. Lucky is when you hit the lottery, the Powerball. That’s lucky. Blessed is when you come out of a situation and survive,” he said. “It felt like something did hit me. Something did touch me and I think an angel touched me for sure.”

Romulus went on to say that the umbrella “one of two or three conductors” that attracted the bolt.

“I stepped in water, I had keys in my hand, had a phone in my pocket and I had a little … umbrella in my left hand,” he explained.

Next time there is a storm, Romulus already knows what he’s going to do.

“If I see any lightning, no matter where I am, I’m gonna spend the night there,” he said. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

I bet he has! Watch the terrifying moment for yourself in the video below.