UPDATED at 9:20 a.m. Friday with victim's name.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS • A bicyclist riding on the Maryland Heights Expressway was struck in the head by lightning and went into cardiac arrest Thursday evening, witnesses said, but Pattonville paramedics were able to revive him.

Police Chief Bill Carson identified the injured man Friday as Joseph Adams, 51, of Ballwin.

Maryland Heights Police Lt. Joe Eagan said the man was unconscious and in critical condition Thursday night. Eagan checked with the hospital on Friday morning and said he was told the man remained in critical condition.

The incident happened about 5:20 p.m. Thursday, as Adams was bicycling south on the expressway about a quarter mile south of the Hollywood Casino, said Pattonville Fire District Batallion Chief Ken Aydelott.

Eagan said Adams worked in the Riverport area and was bicycling home. It was storming violently, Aydelott said, and passing motorists saw a lightning bolt strike his head. Eagan said Adams had a wound on his foot, so it was unclear where on his body he was initially struck or if the bolt had exited his foot.