A 51-year-old man, identified as Viktar Kiryk, was pronounced dead after a lightning strike hit him while he was swimming in the Gulf off Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on July 3. Three family members were taken to a local hospital and were in stable condition, au
The moment the thunderstorm rolled over Fort Myers Beach didn’t end the way it could have.
On July 3, a man was struck by lightning while swimming in the Gulf, and by the time deputies arrived near the 6500 block of Estero Boulevard, bystanders were already performing CPR, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies responded around 2:20 p.m. Friday, July 3, to reports of the incident. Emergency crews found the man with life-saving efforts already underway, but he was pronounced dead at the scene despite immediate attempts from witnesses and responders.
The strike happened during active storm conditions moving through the area. Authorities identified the victim as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk.
Kiryk’s family members were nearby when the lightning hit. Deputies said three family members who were with Kiryk were transported to a local hospital for evaluation, and officials said they were in stable condition after the incident.
Emergency crews responded across multiple locations along Estero Boulevard as calls came in.
Lightning is a familiar danger along Florida’s warm coastline, especially in summer storm season. The National Weather Service says about 20 people are killed by lightning in the United States each year. with hundreds more injured. Florida consistently ranks among the most lightning-prone states in the country. and Lee County and nearby areas have been identified as frequent hotspots in recent annual lightning activity reports.
Safety officials stress that lightning can strike up to 10 miles from a storm. They warn that anyone outdoors should seek shelter immediately if thunder is heard, and recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after the last sounds of thunder before going back outside.
Fort Myers Beach lightning strike Lee County Sheriff’s Office Viktar Kiryk Gulf of Mexico severe weather National Weather Service public safety