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St. Pete Beach, FL - A Florida teen was critically injured on the Fourth of July after lightning allegedly struck her family while they were sitting under an umbrella at St. Pete Beach.
St Pete Beach Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched at 12:19 p.m. Thursday to the access point at 4700 Gulf Boulevard after beachgoers dialed 911 about a blinding flash.
Officials reported that responders reached the sand within minutes and discovered a family of three seated under an umbrella when lightning allegedly struck.
Two adults were treated on scene while their 17-year-old daughter was tagged as a trauma alert and rushed to Tampa General Hospital.
Her condition has not been released.
Reports indicate that the sky looked mostly clear at the moment of impact, a reminder that bolts can leap from distant clouds.
The National Weather Service lists Florida among the most dangerous states for lightning fatalities, with an average of 7 deaths each year.
Experts say sea breezes and humid July air make this month Florida's lightning peak.
Investigators from Pinellas County Emergency Management are reviewing radar data and interviewing witnesses to map the path of the discharge.
Authorities say no criminal activity was involved and no arrest record exists.
Safety specialists urge visitors to follow the rule: when thunder roars, head indoors.
They advise seeking a fully enclosed building or a hard topped vehicle at the first rumble because lightning can strike miles ahead of rain.
This frightening Fourth of July incident is yet another reminder of the unpredictable dangers Florida’s beaches can pose when the weather turns.