Lightning kills man on New Smyrna Beach, 2 others injured

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One person was killed and two others were reportedly injured after lightning struck in Florida.

A 29-year-old man from Colorado died from being struck by lightning shortly before 12:30 p.m. on June 20 while standing in ankle-deep water in New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue spokesperson Tamra Malphurs told USA TODAY over email.

Malphurs said CPR was immediately initiated and life-saving measures were performed but the man could not be revived and was “transported from the scene unresponsive.”

“He sadly lost his life from the injuries he sustained,” Malphurs said. The spokesperson told Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the deceased was identified as Jake A. Rosencranz. This was Florida’s first lightning fatality of the year.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, in a post on Facebook, said the man was accompanied by his wife.

“They were visiting our beaches to celebrate their marriage. In one terrifying second everything changed,” Chitwood wrote. “I also want to thank everyone who worked so quickly to render aid and get him to the hospital for a fighting chance.”

Authorities said the couple was on their honeymoon.

2 golfers struck by lightning at the same time

Rosencranz wasn’t the only person struck by lightning in New Smyrna Beach, about a 55-mile drive northeast from Orlando, that day.

In a separate incident on a same day, two people were indirectly struck by lightning while golfing at the Venetian Bay Golf Course, New Smyrna Beach Fire Department spokesperson Adam Sarwi told USA TODAY.

The golfers were indirectly struck by lightning at the golf course, Sarwi said, adding both victims were evaluated on scene and declined transport to the hospital by EMS.

“Their condition after interaction with NSBFD is unknown,” Sarwi said.

The Venetian Bay Golf Course did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for more information on the incident.

Lightning is not unusual in Florida, which retained its title as the state with the most lightning in 2024, according to AEM, which describes itself as an essential source for environmental insights.

This story was updated to add more information.

Contributing: Gabriel Velasquez Neira, Daytona Beach News-Journal

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

(This story was updated to include video.)

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