Fort Myers Beach lightning strike leaves one dead, multiple injured

One person is dead and multiple others hurt after a lightning strike on Fort Myers Beach.

The Fort Myers Beach Fire Department told Gulf Coast News they were dispatched to the 6600 block of Estero Blvd. Friday afternoon before 3 p.m. Upon arrival, responders found a total of four patients. A bystander had deployed an AED and was performing CPR when crews arrived. However, due to the injuries sustained, efforts to revive the unresponsive individual were not successful.

Gulf Coast Live Doppler Radar shows one lightning bolt around 2:18 p.m. in the area of the deadly strike.

[image id='7856737c-cb62-4cae-8834-48fbf1d8fb43' mediaId='9fea0096-03a9-4532-8f30-aea1852787f9' align='center' size='medium' share='true' caption='Lightning strike captured via radar along Estero Boulevard' expand='' crop='original'][/image]

The Lee County Sheriff's Office posted on X: "LCSO is on scene at the 6500 blk of Estero Blvd. reference a lightning strike. At this time, it appears 4 subjects are involved and at least 3 were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation."

Officials urged residents and visitors to stay aware of the weather and environment.