Officer Nathan Van Oort of the Ohio University Police Department, who was struck by lightning June 22, is continuing physical therapy to recover from muscle tissue damage and brain injuries. OUPD Officer Steve Noftz, who visits Van Oort often, said he is doing well in rehabilitation and that the staff caring for him is phenomenal. He's exactly the Nate we all know and love more often than not
Noftz said.At the time of the strike, Van Oort was participating in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. He and the others running the torch from Athens to Lancaster had stopped for lunch near Logan. Several were injured when lightning struck the area. Van Oort stopped breathing before officers began to resuscitate him.For weeks, he was in critical condition at the Ohio State University Medical Center. Noftz refused to release Van Oort's current location.During the first few days, Noftz said, expectations for his recovery were low.Considering he was basically dead for 20 minutes to be doing rehab to be able to walk and get around G? we've been amazed with his progress
Noftz said.He's been off the charts. He's cut a lot of [recovery] time frames in half
Noftz said.Doctors say Van Oort will always have some residual piece of a lightning strike
Noftz said, but Noftz isn't giving up on a complete recovery.It has been and is in God's hands
Noftz said.Over the summer, officers from the area raised about $38,000 for Van Oort and his wife and four children through a benefit poker game, auction, raffle and T-shirt sale. Honestly
we set out to raise around $15
000
said Sgt. Bryan Cooper of the Athens County Sheriff's Office. His family has been just overwhelmed by the show of support
Noftz said. Financially and every way
