The couple were at Max Patch Bald, near Ashville, when lightning struck three times, according to
the Associated Press. Butler suffered third degree burns.
Butler says, "She didn't say anything, and I turned around and she was laying a few feet away, and I crawled to her.
I did CPR for probably 15 minutes and the whole time was trying her cell phone, but I couldn't get anything out."
The Associated Press recounts how he described the lightning strike:
"I was spun 180 degrees and thrown several feet back," he told the newspaper. "My legs turned to Jello, my shoes were smoking and the bottom of my feet felt like they were on fire."
Butler was unable to carry her down the hill, so he drove to the first home he found. A father and his son went back up to the bald with Butler to help. Butler says, "They stood on the top of the hill doing what they could for probably 20 minutes until the rescuers got there."
When the rescuers arrived, they attempted to resuscitate Lott, but with no success. Services will be held for her this week in New Tazewell, Tennessee.
