Three people were struck by lightning on New Smyrna Beach, Florida, during a rare blue-sky storm over the weekend. The incident occurred just before 12:30 p.m., surprising beachgoers enjoying the sunny weather. A 29-year-old man from Colorado was standing in ankle-deep water when he was hit by a lightning bolt, leaving him in critical condition. The man was pulled from the water by bystanders and a nearby nurse immediately began CPR until paramedics arrived. The man was transported to a local hospital, where medical staff restored his pulse. His current condition remains unknown.
In addition to the beachgoer, two golfers at the Venetian Bay Golf Course were indirectly struck by the same lightning event. Fortunately, they did not require hospitalization. Witnesses described the lightning strike as unexpected, with clear blue skies and the storm several miles away. The lightning strike occurred approximately four miles from the storm, illustrating the danger of blue-sky lightning, which can travel up to 20 miles from its parent thunderstorm.
Volusia County Beach Safety officials emphasized the unpredictability of such strikes and the importance of seeking shelter when storms are in the vicinity. The National Weather Service advises that lightning can occur even when skies appear clear, urging caution in storm-prone areas.