The man, who was on vacation with his family at the time of the incident, was identified as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk
Credit: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A man was killed, and three other people were injured, after a major lightning strike on a Florida beach
- A bystander — a paramedic who happened to be on vacation at the beach — performed CPR and used an AED on the man before first responders arrived
- The man, who was on vacation with his family at the time of the incident, was identified as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk
A man was killed, and three others were injured, after a major lightning strike on a Florida beach — and one beachgoer recalled that the strike "sounded like an atomic bomb."
According to the Fort Myers Beach Fire District and the Lee County Sheriff's Office, first responders were called to Fort Myers Beach near Estero Boulevard after receiving reports about a man being struck by lightning while in the water at around 2:20 p.m. local time on Friday, July 3.
Paramedics who arrived at the scene found an unconscious man, as well as three others who had sustained injuries. A bystander — identified by WINK as Katie Abdalla, a paramedic from Maryland who was at the beach on vacation — grabbed a nearby AED to administer shocks to the man's heart and performed CPR on him.
"Despite the immediate lifesaving efforts of bystanders and first responders, the victim tragically died at the scene," the sheriff's office said. "He has been identified as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk."
Credit: Alamy
"Kiryk was in the water with three family members at the time of the incident," officials added. "They were transported to a local hospital for evaluation and are thankfully in stable condition."
Speaking to WINK about the incident, a beachgoer who was at the scene at the time of the lightning strike described the moment Kiryk was struck.
"All of a sudden, it sounded like an atomic bomb went off," Debra Crombie said, sharing that people nearby began to yell and scream.
"I could see the flash, and I couldn't see at that moment where it had hit, but I knew it had hit either on the beach or right at the shoreline," she continued. "When I tell you, it was so bright — our ears hurt, our eyes were blinded by it, that's how intense this was."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Officials used the incident as a reminder to urge people to take precautions during summer lightning storms.
"This tragic incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder that Florida’s summer storms can develop rapidly. If you hear thunder or see lightning, get out of the water immediately and seek safe shelter," the sheriff's office said in its press release.
The fire district also advised anyone spending time outdoors this summer to remember their slogan for lightning safety — "when thunder roars, go indoors."
"If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Look for shelter inside a home, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle right away," they explained. "Wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder before leaving your shelter."
"There is no safe place outside," the fire district added, sharing that anyone who witnesses a person being struck by lightning should call 911 or get medical help right away. "Places with only a roof on sports fields, golf courses, and picnic areas are not safe during a lightning storm. Small sheds should not be used."
Read the full article here
