Screams, CPR and panic heard in 911 call following deadly lightning strike on Fort Myers Beach

"We believe someone just got electrocuted or injured on Fort Myers Beach," said a 911 caller.

Lee County dispatchers were flooded with 911 calls Friday afternoon after lightning struck four people swimming in the Gulf on Fort Myers Beach.

"You need to get somebody out here. It looks like he was wearing a necklace, and it like burned his neck," said a 911 caller.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, that bolt killed 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk.

A bystander deployed an AED and performed CPR when crews arrived. In the 911 calls, you can even hear a dispatcher guiding people through it.

Crews responded to the scene in the 6500 block of Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach at around 2:20 p.m. on Friday.

Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of bystanders and first responders, Kiryk died at the scene.

Kiryk's wife, daughter and son-in-law were also hurt when the lightning struck. The three family members were taken to the hospital.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder that lightning can strike with little warning.

"When the lightning strikes the Gulf, it spreads horizontally. So if you're floating in the water, you have a high risk of getting struck," said Gulf Coast meteorologist Lauren Hope.

Hope says lightning can even strike several miles away from a thunderstorm.

"A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that lightning can strike up to 25 miles outside of a storm. So it is a huge misconception that you're safe if it's not raining where you're at," said Hope.

As a safety reminder, wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going back outside.