A lightning strike turned deadly as the Independence Day weekend got underway in Southwest Florida.
Crews were dispatched to Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Friday, July 3, after reports of a lightning strike in the area.
“Upon arrival, crews found one individual unresponsive, and three others who had to be transported,” Fort Myers Beach Fire District said in a post on Facebook. “A bystander had deployed an AED and was performing CPR upon our arrival, however due to the injuries sustained efforts were not successful.”
The victim was later identified as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk, who was swimming when the lightning strike happened, according to local news station WINK.
According to data from the AccuWeather Lightning Network, the strike may have been a “bolt from the blue,” when lightning hits an area miles away from a thunderstorm. These types of lightning strikes can be particularly dangerous as they happen when it is dry outside.
Friday’s incident marked the third lightning-related fatality in the United States so far this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. It was also the second reported case in Florida in 2026.
Since 2006, Florida has been the deadliest state for lightning strikes. The National Lightning Safety Council also says water-related activities, including swimming, are among the deadliest situations when thunderstorms are nearby.
Beachgoers are urged to keep a close eye on the weather and move to shelter when a storm approaches.
