Great stories people! Keep 'em comin'.
Now to put a matter to rest that is often mistated in regard to how far away a lightning stroke is. Let's employ the scientific method, shall we?
The light from the stroke is traveling at the speed of light, while the consequent thunder travels at the speed of sound. The speed of sound in dry air at 70° F:
344.27 meters per second = 1129.52 feet per second = 771.18 miles per hour
Speed of Sound Calculator
From the flash, start counting seconds until you hear the thunder. For every 3 seconds you count, the lightning is 1 kilometer away {1000 meters in a kilometer; 1000 meters divided by 344.27 meters per second = 2.9 seconds}
For every 5 seconds you count, the lightning is just under 5 miles away {5280 feet in a mile; 5,280 feet divided by 1129.52 feet per second = 4.6 seconds}
