Michigan Man Killed by Direct Lightning Strike in Florida
A 20-year-old Michigan man training for the Chicago Marathon was killed by a direct lightning strike in Florida while participating in the Disney College Program.
A 20-year-nd young man from Michigan, Matthew Eric Jenkins, was tragically killed on Tuesday by a direct lightning strike while jogging on a walking trail in Celebration, Florida. Jenkins had arrived in central Florida just four days prior to pursue his dream of participating in the Disney College Program while training for the Chicago Marathon.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Jenkins was found unresponsive around 6:25 PM local time. Bystanders who sought shelter from the storm performed initial CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The medical examiner confirmed the cause of death was a fatal electrocution from a direct lightning strike.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Tragedy
Witnesses recalled the terrifying moments of the sudden strike. Felipe Costa, who rushed to help after hearing about the collapse, stated: "We saw the flash out of nowhere. We didn't see where it hit, but it was incredibly loud and fast."
"We saw the flash out of nowhere. We didn't see where it hit, but it was incredibly loud and fast."
Another witness, Spyro Betts, added that he heard a massive thunderclap right above him, assuming it hit a building rather than a person. Disney representatives released a statement expressing deep sadness over his passing and extending condolences to his family.
Florida: The Lightning Capital of the US
Jenkins' death marks the sixth lightning fatality in Florida this year, placing the state at the top of national lightning deaths with six out of fifteen nationwide. Since 2016, Florida has recorded 57 lightning fatalities, far surpassing Texas's 21.
Safety councils reiterate that no place outside is safe during a thunderstorm, noting that lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the core storm center.
