One person died and two others are hospitalized after being struck by lightning in Winter Springs.Reports indicate it happened in the area of 1300 Park Villa Place, behind Keeth Elementary.Seminole County Fire Department said the victims are a mother, her child, and an 18-year-old.According to Winter Springs police, the mother, who accompanied the child, died.Capt. Doug Seely, with Winter Springs Police Department, said the mother and other family members were by a tree at Trotwood Park, waiting for a child to be released from school when the lightning strike occurred.Officials said the child and the 18-year-old are expected to recover.A dog was also involved in the lightning strike. We’re told the dog was taken to Oviedo Veterinary Clinic and appeared to be OK.One mom told WESH 2 that her son had been released before the delay caused by the incident and the storm hit suddenly. “We had to run because of how bad it was. We were down there, and all I heard was a big boom,” Nicole Altonen, a parent, said. The district tweeted Keeth Elementary School would have counselors on campus Friday to support students and staff members.”I don’t even know why I looked, but I saw people on the ground, and somebody was waving over the crossing guard like, ‘Help,’ and I was like, ‘Oh no, something is happening,'” Hope Reynolds, a parent, said.Another parent, Joe White, said he was about 15 feet away when it happened.”It sounds kind of cliché, but you just wanted to help. People were down. Call 911. I already had my phone out,” White said.Reynolds said the child who was hurt was a friend of her own daughter. “At first, I didn’t even realize it was her, but when she started coming around a little bit more, I could see a little bit more of her face, and I said, ‘Oh gosh, this is her.’ It just really took my breath away. It was heart-wrenching for sure,” Reynolds said.The victim was on people’s minds this morning.There were many hugs for the crossing guard on the edge of Trotwood Park.He was there when the incident happened, and he was back this morning to help families walk to Keeth Elementary.”Beautiful, wonderful woman, beautiful family,” Cathie Penfold Navarro said. Penfold Navarro didn’t personally know the victim but still went to lay flowers.”The Keeth family is a vibrant family they do all kinds of activities. This park is the community hub. We all have hundreds of memories from this park. And it’s so sad that somebody’s family has been so tragically hurt,” Penfold Navarro said. Others also shared sentiments.”It’s horrible. A friend, a family, is never going to be the same. And my husband was here with my 9-month-old and second grader, and it’s tragic. The whole community of Keeth is shaken by this,” Jessie Andrews, a parent, said. Watch the news conference below:In July, a 27-year-old man died after being hit by lightning in Volusia County in July.A 14-year-old girl narrowly survived after being struck by lightning in early June.Florida summers are always electric as the heat builds those afternoon storms. First responders said the flat landscape makes the area and the people in it susceptible to lightning strikes.
One person died and two others are hospitalized after being struck by lightning in Winter Springs.
Reports indicate it happened in the area of 1300 Park Villa Place, behind Keeth Elementary.
Seminole County Fire Department said the victims are a mother, her child, and an 18-year-old.
According to Winter Springs police, the mother, who accompanied the child, died.
Capt. Doug Seely, with Winter Springs Police Department, said the mother and other family members were by a tree at Trotwood Park, waiting for a child to be released from school when the lightning strike occurred.
Officials said the child and the 18-year-old are expected to recover.
A dog was also involved in the lightning strike. We’re told the dog was taken to Oviedo Veterinary Clinic and…
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