A man has died after being struck by lightning while on his honeymoon in Florida.
Jake Rosencranz, 29, was ankle-deep in the water at New Smyrna Beach, near Daytona Beach, on Friday afternoon when he was struck, officials from the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue told local TV station WKMG.
Emergency services performed CPR at the scene before Mr Rosencranz was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he died the next day.
On Saturday, before his death was confirmed, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a statement on Facebook: “Saying a prayer for this young man and his wife. They were visiting our beaches to celebrate their marriage. In one terrifying second everything changed. My heart goes out to them tonight.”
He shared a news report of the incident on Monday, along with another statement saying: “So sorry for the tragic loss of a young man here on a delayed honeymoon with his wife.”
He added: “At 29 years old, he should have had many more anniversaries with her for years to come.
“Sending sincere condolences to this young woman on behalf of all of us in Volusia County who were hoping against hope that the diligent efforts of our lifeguards, EMS team and ER staff would bring him back to her.”
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Two people golfing near the beach were indirectly struck by lightning minutes before Mr Rosencranz, the local fire department said in a statement on Friday, adding that neither needed treatment in hospital.
Mr Rosencranz, from Colarado, is one of four people in the US to be killed after a lightning strike this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
More people die from lightning strikes in Florida every year than in any other state, according to the National Weather Service, which says it’s because thunderstorms are common and the population is the third largest of any state in the country.
