Man hospitalized after lightning strike on Holmes Beach
HOLMES BEACH, Fla. - A man in his 40s was hospitalized after being struck by lightning while on Holmes Beach near 68th St. on Monday.
What we know:
Witnesses said a group of five people were on the sand when the bolt hit, just moments after thunder was heard in the area.
Four people were able to run for cover, but the man who appeared most seriously injured was unable to stand and quickly lost consciousness, according to a bystander who called 911.
Timeline:
- Friday: A separate lightning incident injured a person on a golf course in New Smyrna Beach.
- Monday afternoon: Kim, a visitor from Atlanta, was on Holmes Beach with her two children when they heard thunder and sought shelter.
- Shortly after, she saw lightning strike near a group of beachgoers under a tent.
- Kim said the group was knocked to the ground. While most got up and ran, one man was clearly disoriented and eventually lost consciousness.
- Emergency crews responded within minutes and took the man to a nearby hospital.
What we don't know:
Officials haven’t released the man’s name or provided an update on his condition. We’re still working to learn more.
What they're saying:
"It's scary, but people can learn from this incident," said West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski.
"If you hear thunder, then you're within striking distance of lightning. There's no safe place outdoors in a thunderstorm. The old saying is, ‘When the thunder roars, go indoors.’"
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The Source: Information in this article comes from eyewitness interviews and statements from local fire officials.
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