ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — A family of three was struck by lightning on St. Pete Beach, officials confirmed Friday.
Authorities responded to the call near the Dolphin Beach resort near the 4700 block of Gulf Boulevard around noon.
Watch report from Annette Gutierrez
In a Broadcastify recording of the scanner call, you could hear a dispatcher say, "Rescue 23, St. Pete Beach 501, electrocution..."
St. Pete Beach Deputy Fire Chief Adam Poirrier said crews arrived within three minutes to find a family of three who appeared to be struck by lightning while under an umbrella on the beach.
Our ABC Action News weather team says there were nearly 50 lightning strikes between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
"The lightning was going crazy," said beachgoer Isaac Martin.
In a scanner call, you could hear a man saying, "We’re having active lightning strikes in the area, we recommend all responders to enter their vehicles if they’re not actively involved in patient care."
Poirrier said that multiple units responded and assisted two adults who were treated on-scene and refused any additional medical treatment.
A 17-year-old girl was transported as a trauma alert to Tampa General Hospital, according to Poirrier.
Kyree Mejias and his family celebrate the 4th of July on St. Pete Beach every year. And on the 30th year of their tradition, he and his family tried to hunker down under their tent.
But then, Mejias said they felt the zap of a nearby lightning strike.
"People were starting to feel a different shock inside their bodies like my uncle, for example, had it from their face down to their arm," said Mejias.
Meanwhile, Martin and his girlfriend did find cover at a beach bar for a little over an hour. But he said once they tried to go back, they learned about a lightning strike on the beach – which he said was a little too close for comfort.
"I’ve never seen or heard of anybody getting struck by lightning like personally, but like I don't know that was right down the road, you know what I mean?" said Martin. "It was like a six-minute walk from where I was at, so it's kind of crazy."
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