Montville — A Montville man is recovering from a lightning strike that he compares to being hit by a sledgehammer.

Jon Naholnik told WTNH-TV that he was opening a car door outside his house Wednesday night when he was knocked backward. He said he had no idea what hit him.

He says burn marks on his left hand and right foot show where the lightning entered and exited his body. The inside of his sneaker was also singed.

Firefighters say he is lucky to be alive.

His sister, Brandi Naholnik, said he was unconscious when the family ran to his aid but gradually came to with his head in her lap. She said her brother is a tough U.S. military veteran who served in Afghanistan.