A man was killed and three others were hospitalized after a lightning strike at Fort Myers Beach as the Independence Day weekend got underway.<\/p>\n
Published Jul 6, 2026 10:27 AM EDT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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Updated Jul 6, 2026 11:43 AM EDT\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\tLightning flashes over a Florida beach. (Getty Images\/Pola Damonte)\n<\/p>\n
\n\tA lightning strike turned deadly as the Independence Day weekend got underway in Southwest Florida<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tCrews were dispatched to Fort Myers Beach<\/a>, Florida, on Friday, July 3, after reports of a lightning strike in the area.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“Upon arrival, crews found one individual unresponsive, and three others who had to be transported,” Fort Myers Beach Fire District<\/a> said in a post on Facebook. “A bystander had deployed an AED and was performing CPR upon our arrival, however due to the injuries sustained efforts were not successful.”\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe victim was later identified as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk, who was swimming when the lightning strike happened, according to local news station WINK<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to data from the AccuWeather Lightning Network, the strike may have been a “bolt from the blue,” when lightning hits an area miles away from a thunderstorm. These types of lightning strikes can be particularly dangerous as they happen when it is dry outside.\n<\/p>\n \n\tFriday’s incident marked the third lightning-related fatality in the United States so far this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. It was also the second reported case in Florida in 2026.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSince 2006, Florida has been the deadliest state for lightning strikes. The National Lightning Safety Council also says water-related activities, including swimming, are among the deadliest situations when thunderstorms are nearby.\n<\/p>\n \n\tBeachgoers are urged to keep a close eye on the weather and move to shelter when a storm approaches.\n<\/p>\n