A 31-year-old mother and one of her toddler twin daughters have died after they were struck by lightning in southeast Florida.
Kenya Glasgow was walking along a street in Margate, near Fort Lauderdale, with her two-year-old daughter Kennedi on Sunday when a thunderstorm swept through the area.
The lightning strike happened shortly before 2.30pm. Police told Our News Outlet that a nearby resident called 911 after discovering the mother and child on the sidewalk near 7941 Northwest 1st Street.
The male resident, who has not been named, told emergency dispatchers that the pair had burn marks on their bodies and appeared to be emitting smoke. He also said Kenya had two “holes” in her chest.
The Margate Police Department said officers arrived alongside Margate Fire Rescue crews and immediately began performing CPR on both the mother and her young daughter.
After those emergency efforts failed to revive them at the scene, Kenya was taken to North Broward Medical Center, while Kennedi was transported to Broward Health Medical Center.
“Tragically, despite the life-saving efforts of first responders and medical personnel, both victims were pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospitals,” police said in a statement.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Kenya’s widower, Kam Glasgow, expressed his devastation over the freak lightning strike, noting that the odds of being hit by lightning were “1 in 1.2 million.” “S*** can’t be real,” the grieving father said.
Kenya Glasgow and one of her two twin daughters died after being struck by lightning while out for a walk in Margate, Florida on Sunday. She is pictured with her husband and their twins
Kennedi, who was killed, is pictured above with her twin sister, Kensli, who must now grow up without her
The next day, he remembered Kenya as his ‘best friend’ and said that their other daughter, Kensli, now has to grow up without her identical twin.
‘I just lost my best friend,’ Kam said. ‘My daughter just lost her best friend.’
‘After I lost my father a few years ago I learned a very valuable lesson and that’s to never question God,’ he added.
‘My babies didn’t suffer. I’m hurt we are hurt but if you gotten the chance to feel that beautiful light my wife and daughter brought into your life cherish it.
‘It’s there for a reason. It gives us all the blueprint to just love others and always remember it doesn’t take much to be kind.’
Thunderstorms are frequent in southern Florida, especially through the summer rainy season from June through September, though lightning rarely claims lives.
Margate residents told NBC6 the fatal storm on Sunday unfolded like a regular rainstorm, until a lightning strike hit so close to their homes that their furniture shook.
Kenya and her husband Kam, who spoke movingly about losing his wife and daughter in such horrific circumstances
Kennedi and Kensli are pictured. The two were doted on by their parents, who regularly shared photos of the youngsters having fun at home
The man who called 911 after seeing Kenya and her daughter laying on the ground during the storm said they had burn marks on their bodies, and they were emanating smoke.
Speaking with local news station NBC6, the man said he immediately called 911 and told police that two people had been struck by lightning.
‘I told one of the family members we need to slip her over to perform CPR, but she had two holes in her chest, and thank God the ambulance was coming down the street,’ he recalled.
‘I said, “They’re here, they’re here,” and I directed him to the baby, and they took the baby right away and a second ambulance came for the mother,’ the man said.
Police said they are continuing to investigate the tragedy.
‘The Margate Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,’ the department said.
