A lightning strike at Fort Myers Beach killed a man and injured three of his family members Friday, officials said.
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — A 51-year-old man died after being struck by lightning while at a Florida beach Friday.
Three other people were hurt by the strike, which happened around 2 p.m. at Fort Myers Beach, according to the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District.
When first responders got to the scene, they found one man unresponsive and three others with various injuries. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said all four people were in the water when the lightning struck.
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A bystander deployed an AED and was performing CPR before emergency crews arrived, the fire department said.
The sheriff’s office identified the man who died as Viktar Kiryk. The other victims were his family members. They were all taken to the hospital and are now stable.
“We are grateful to the bystanders and first responders who rushed in to help without hesitation,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release while sending condolences to the impacted family.
Both agencies encouraged people to stay aware of the weather and their surroundings to stay safe.
“This tragic incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder that Florida’s summer storms can develop rapidly,” the sheriff’s office said last Saturday. “If you hear thunder or see lightning, get out of the water immediately and seek safe shelter.”
The fire department echoed the warning, adding, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”