A 29-year-old Colorado man, struck by a lightning strike on New Smyrna Beach last Friday, has now died from his injuries, officials confirmed. According to ClickOrlando, the man was hit near the 27th Avenue approach, and first responders performed CPR at the scene. Despite these efforts, after being taken to the hospital in critical condition, his life could not be saved.
The incident occurred as the area was battered by severe storms around 12:30 p.m. Volusia County Beach Safety officials highlighted the dangers of lightning, particularly as Florida is known to have a higher incidence of such strikes. The victim was in ankle-deep water when the lightning strike fatally wounded him, according to reports from WFTV.
As residents grapple with the aftermath of these incidents, beach safety officials and meteorologists urge extreme caution during stormy conditions. "If you are on a beach when there is lightning, you should seek shelter immediately," Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs stated, as reported by ClickOrlando. Buildings or vehicles with hard metal tops can serve as suitable shelters, whereas sheds, pavilions, tents, or covered porches might not sufficiently protect from lightning. Staying away from elevated objects and metal is also advised as a preventative measure.
