Man in his 40s goes into cardiac arrest after being struck by lightning on a Florida beach and seven others who were nearby suffered minor injuries including burns
- The lightning strike occurred at Clearwater Beach in Florida on Sunday
- Witnesses said that people were moving off the beach due to the bad weather when the lightning struck
- A man in his 40s was struck directly and went into cardiac arrest
- Seven others who were nearby were also injured, including at least one who suffered burns
A lightning strike at a Florida beach has left eight people injured, including one man who was critically hurt when he was directly hit by the bolt.
Authorities say the lightning strike occurred at Clearwater Beach after midday on Sunday when lifeguards had left their towers because of bad weather.
Witnesses said that people were moving off the beach when the lightning struck.
Authorities say the lightning strike occurred at Clearwater Beach in Florida (above) after midday on Sunday when lifeguards had left their towers because of bad weather
A man in his 40s was struck directly and went into cardiac arrest.
He remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Seven others who were nearby were also injured, including at least one who suffered burns.
Authorities said five people were taken to nearby hospitals, while three refused treatment.
After witnessing the strike, some people at a nearby restaurant dragged the injured indoors as rain poured down.
They administered first aid until first responders arrived.
A man in his 40s was struck directly and went into cardiac arrest. He remains in a critical condition in hospital
Seven others who were nearby were also injured, including at least one who suffered burns. Authorities said five people were taken to hospitals, while three refused treatment
‘The adrenaline was rushing and everybody on the staff and everyone else,’ witness Ryan Tuttle told ABC Action News.
‘It was basically like time stopped at that moment.’
He said his girlfriend, who is an ICU nurse, was among those helping to perform CPR.
‘She just jumped in and started doing compressions on the guy and rotating with other people,’ he said.
The Clearwater Fire Department urged beachgoers to take cover if they spot lightning or hear thunder in the future.
‘Beachgoers should take cover and go to a safe place when lightning and thunder are present. As a reminder, Clearwater Fire and Rescue uses the phrase: when you hear the roar, go indoor,’ they said.
This photo was taken on Sunday evening as a thunderstorm rolled through Clearwater Beach just hours after the lightning strike that injured eight people