MIAMI — A 19-year-old man died after being struck by lightning at Vista View Park in Davie, police said.
The incident occurred Sunday morning when police officers in Davie responded to a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground, suspected of being struck by lightning.
When officers arrived, they discovered the victim, identified as Ethan Lawrence of Broward County, dead in the park. Police received the call around 10:24 a.m.
According to WSVN News, this happened right in the middle of a series of more than 800 lightning strikes reported in Broward County in less than 30 minutes.
The Broward County Coroner’s Office is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Deaths from lightning are rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chance of being struck by lightning in a given year is less than one in a million, and nearly 90% of all lightning victims survive.
However, Florida is known for its high frequency of lightning strikes compared to other areas and has earned the title of “lightning capital” according to the CDC. Over the past 50 years, more than 2,000 people have been injured by lightning strikes in the state.
Authorities urge residents and visitors to exercise caution during stormy weather, especially in outdoor areas such as parks.
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