A 29-year-old man who was struck by lightning on a Central Florida beach during a bout of severe weather last Friday has died, officials confirmed Monday.
The man, who was visiting from Colorado, was on his honeymoon when the tragedy occurred in New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs told CBS affiliate WKMG. First responders performed CPR and transported him to the hospital in critical condition, but he died Saturday, Malphurs said.
Photos from the scene showed beachgoers and rescue personnel rushing to help after the strike.
No further information has been released about the identity of the man who died.
Two golfers struck the same day in New Smyrna Beach
The victim wasn’t the only person hit by lightning in New Smyrna Beach on June 20. Around 12:18 p.m., two golfers were indirectly struck at the Venetian Bay Golf Course as storms moved across the region, the city confirmed in a statement to WKMG.
Emergency crews from the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department evaluated both golfers on scene. Neither required transport to a hospital.
“This serves as an important reminder of, ‘When thunder roars, go indoors,’” said Ava Hanner, public information officer for the City of New Smyrna Beach. “If you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to be struck by lightning, even if the sky looks clear.”
