That really is a bright spark: Snapper captures the moment a huge lightning bolt strikes Statue of Liberty



This is the amazing moment a lightning bolt was captured as it struck the iconic Statue of Liberty.



The impressive image was caught by New York photographer Jay Fine who spent the night braving the storm in Battery Park City, Manhattan, in a bid to get the perfect picture.

Mr Fine spent nearly two hours poised with his camera and took more than 80 other shots before striking lucky with this particular bolt of lightning at 8.45pm on September 22.

Bolt from the blue: Jay Fine captured this incredible image as lightning strikes the Statue of Liberty in New York harbour

The 58-year-old, who has been trying for more than 40 years to capture the magnificent moment, said he was stunned when he saw the image.

He said: 'I had been watching weather reports so I knew a storm was coming and it just seemed like a great opportunity.

'I was ready and waiting when the lightning finally started and took 81 shots before finally getting this one.

'I was shocked when I realised what had happened.

'It was pure luck really, a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's the first photograph of its kind I have ever seen.'

Storm: The iconic New York monument, made from copper plates, is thought to be hit by up to 600 bolts of lightning every year

Iconic: Mr Fine has been trying to capture an image of lightning hitting the Statue of Liberty for the last 40 years

Lady Liberty is thought to have been hit by about 600 bolts of lightning every year since she was built in 1886.

The statue is made up of enormous copper plates and is 305ft tall.

Shelter: Fans take cover under the stadium as lightning delays the start of the New York Jets game against the Minnesota Vikings

Deluge: The Jets and Vikings battle it out during heavy rain the second quarter of their game at New Meadowlands Stadium

The powerful storm also caused disruption in New York, as the Jets game against the Minnesota Vikings had to be delayed because of lightning strikes near the stadium.

Fans sheltered underneath the stadium until the storm had passed but the two teams battled it out in torrential rain. The Jets went on to win 29-20.



Strong winds, hail storms and heavy rain had earlier battered the New York and New Jersey urban areas.



Hail: The Empire State Building is just visible as the storm batters Hoboken, New Jersey

Electric: Lightning can be seen above this New York City building as strong winds, hail and torrential rain affected the area



