A lightning strike at a beach in Florida resulted in one death and injuries to three others on Friday afternoon. Witnesses described the scene as being similar to “an atomic bomb going off.”
This incident took place around 3 p.m. while summer visitors were enjoying the waters at Fort Myers Beach.
An unidentified man swimming was fatally struck by lightning, while three nearby swimmers sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital, according to Fort Myers Beach Fire District Chief Scott Wirth.
Sarah Rodriguez from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office stated that the other three individuals appeared to be in stable condition.
Beachgoer Debra Crombie recounted, “All of a sudden it sounded like an atomic bomb going off.”
She mentioned seeing a flash of light but was unsure of its origin until she realized it was close to the shore. “It was so bright that my ears hurt and I went blind. It was that intense,” she described.
Crombie was on her family vacation to Fort Myers when the tragic event occurred, adding that a relative witnessed the lightning strike, noting it caused the water to “split in two.”
As chaos ensued, she observed children fleeing the beach, crying, which made her think someone must have been struck.
The man was pulled from the water and given CPR but unfortunately did not survive by the time paramedics arrived, reports indicate.
Crombie expressed her sorrow for the victim’s family, saying they had encountered his children earlier that day. “Everyone was crying intermittently. I can’t stop thinking about this family and my heart is breaking for them,” she said.
The victim remains unidentified, but authorities indicated he was traveling with family to another location in Florida and happened to stop at the beach.
It’s still unclear if he was a resident or just visiting. Crombie reflected on how the area is typically not crowded but that many visitors might not be aware of the dangers posed by thunderstorms.
“It makes me think there’s no way these people are from Florida. They don’t understand how deadly lightning is,” she added.
With thunderstorms expected to continue through the Fourth of July weekend due to a “heat dome” affecting many areas, authorities are advising beachgoers to be cautious.
“We urge all residents, tourists, and beachgoers to monitor the weather before heading out. If you observe lightning, stay away from the water, and seek shelter immediately,” stated the sheriff’s office.
Despite this tragic event, the beach remained open following the incident except for the area directly linked to the storm.
