Tragic: James W. Barton, 33, became the 501st person to die after being struck by lightning in Florida since records began
A 33-year-old man has died after being struck by lightning on a beach in Sarasota, Florida.
James W. Barton was reportedly struck during a storm in Siesta Key at around 2pm on Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses rushed to his aide, but were unable to revive Mr Barton, who was declared dead in hospital.
Mr Barton, from Seffner, Hillsborough County, became the 501st person to be killed by lightning in Florida since records began in 1959.
He is the third lighting strike casualty in the Sunshine State this year, after five people were killed in this way in 2017.
Mr Barton had been visiting the beach with friends when he was struck by lightning.
One of his friends who stood near him was knocked to the ground by the force.
Life guards on Siesta Beach had warned visitors of the high risk of lightning strikes on Sunday afternoon, but it is not known if the message reached Barton and his group.
Incident: Mr Barton died after being struck by lightning during a storm in Siesta Key in Sarasota, pictured, at around 2pm on Sunday afternoon
‘The ample warning was given on the public beach,’ Lifeguard Captain Roy Routh told News Channel 8.
‘This patron was one mile south of the public beach, so there was no warning there as far as I know.’
His mother told the local news website that Mr Barton, known as Jamie to friends and family, had been planning to move in with his girlfriend.
‘He had everything ahead of him, he was fixin’ to buy a house [sic]’.