Lightning Spreads One Family On Independence Day Vacation In Florida, One Teenager Is Critical

Photo illustration. (Doc. Pexels)

JAKARTA - The United States Independence Day celebration on a beach in Florida turned into a nightmare on Friday, July 4 local time. A 17-year-old girl was rushed to hospital in critical condition after she and her family were struck by lightning while taking shelter under a beach umbrella in St. Pete Beach, just outside St. Petersburg.

Launching The Independent, Saturday, July 5, this tragic incident occurred shortly after noon local time. The family of three was enjoying their popular vacation on the beach when a lightning strike suddenly hit. St. Fire Department. Pete Beach immediately responded to an emergency call regarding this incident.

The teenage victim was immediately rushed to the Tampa General Hospital as an "traumatic alert", indicating that he may suffer a life-threatening injury. Meanwhile, two adults who were with him received treatment at the scene and refused further medical treatment.

Kyree Mejias, one of the eyewitnesses who was in St. Pete Beach and his family, told the terrible moment to 10 Tampa Bay.

"Very close to us, we can see the flash," he said.

"More or less we just tried to keep the tent and all that," he added. "As soon as we felt the vibrations and surprises, everyone immediately let go of [handling]."

Florida is known as the "mayor of lightning strikes" in the United States. The state experiences an average of 1.2 million lightning strikes per year and has more lightning strikes per square mile than other states. Nationally, lightning strikes about 25 million times a year in the US, killing about 20 people every year.

A few weeks ago, Yassin Khalifa, a 15-year-old teenager, was also struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree in Central Park, New York City. Luckily, he is expected to recover completely.