Deadly Beach Lightning
Lightning Strike on Fort Myers Beach Kills One, Injuring Multiple Others
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Key Points
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The incident occurred in the 6600 block of Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, with reports tying the location to the Island Winds condominium on Estero Boulevard.
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The number of victims reported varied by outlet: some described one dead and three others transported (four people involved), while others cited two injured or four patients in total.
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Officials described the deceased as being struck directly by lightning.
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Doppler radar data tracked a lightning bolt in the area around 2:18 p.m., tying the timing to the Fort Myers Beach strike.
A lightning strike killed one man and injured three others on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, during Fourth of July celebrations on Friday afternoon, according to Fox 35 Orlando. The strike hit around 3 p.m. in the 6600 block of Estero Boulevard, near the Island Winds condominium.
Bystanders used an AED and performed CPR on victims before emergency crews arrived, CBS 12 reported. Some victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Authorities are urging everyone to stay away from the area.
One Dead, Three Rushed to Hospital After Strike
The man who died was struck directly by lightning, officials said. Three others were injured in the same strike and transported to nearby hospitals, according to Fox Weather. Doppler radar tracked a lightning bolt in the area at around 2:18 p.m., closely matching the timeline of the incident.
Reports on the exact number of victims varied slightly across outlets. Some described four total patients, while others cited two injured in addition to the fatality. The core facts — one dead, multiple others hurt — remained consistent across all accounts, Rolling Out noted.
Beach Was Packed for Fourth of July When Storm Hit
Fort Myers Beach was busy with holiday crowds when scattered thunderstorms moved through the area Friday afternoon. The strike happened during peak beach hours, with many people still on the sand, Fox Weather reported. The combination of a crowded holiday beach and fast-moving storms created dangerous conditions.
Lightning on beaches is especially deadly because there is little shelter nearby. Sand and water both conduct electricity. A single bolt can spread its energy across a wide area, putting multiple people at risk at once.
Fire District and Sheriff Warn Public to Seek Shelter
The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District issued a public warning after the strike, CBS 12 reported. Officials told residents and visitors to get off the beach and find shelter as soon as they hear thunder or see lightning. The Lee County Sheriff's Office echoed that message and asked people to avoid the area.
Authorities continued to monitor the scene and said they would share more updates as information became available, according to News4Jax. The public was specifically told to stay away from Estero Boulevard until officials gave the all-clear.
Lightning Kills Dozens in the U.S. Each Summer
Lightning is one of the deadliest weather events in the United States each year. The beach is among the most dangerous places to be during a storm. There is no tall structure to redirect the bolt, and wet sand spreads the electrical charge quickly to anyone nearby.
The standard safety rule is simple: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck. Fox 35 Orlando noted that officials stressed this point after the Fort Myers Beach incident, urging everyone to treat any sign of a storm as a reason to leave the beach immediately.
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