Teenager Hospitalized After Sudden Storm Strikes Popular Tourist Spot
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A family of three enjoying a day on St. Pete Beach was struck by lightning on Friday, July 4, 2025, sending a 17-year-old girl to Tampa General Hospital. The incident occurred around 12:19 p.m. as the family sought shelter under an umbrella during a thunderstorm.
According to Deputy Fire Chief Adam Poirrer of St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue, emergency crews, including multiple fire rescue units and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, were dispatched to the scene and provided immediate aid.
READ: Lightning Strikes Surge Across U.S. As Heat Wave Lingers: AccuWeather
While two adult victims were treated on-site and declined further medical attention, the teenage girl was transported to Tampa General Hospital. Her current condition has not yet been released.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the safest place to be during a lightning storm is indoors and recommends against carrying metal objects, including umbrellas, which can conduct electricity.
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