A fairytale turned into a nightmare after authorities reveal that the man killed by a lightning strike on a Florida beach was on his honeymoon.
Volusia County Beach Safety reported to WTVG that a 29-year-old man from Colorado, who was on a trip with his new wife, was hit by lightning while standing in shallow water on Friday afternoon.
The man was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, shared Volusia County Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs in an update provided to WESH on Monday.
Malphurs told the outlet that the storm was still miles away from the beach, making the strike “an extremely rare occurrence.”
“It was clear blue sky, and the storm was like miles away from us,” a witness described to WESH.
Volusia County Mike Chitwood addressed the tragedy and also confirmed the victim was a tourist visiting on his honeymoon.
“So sorry for the tragic loss of a young man here on a delayed honeymoon with his wife,” Chitwood wrote in a post on Facebook.
“At just 29, he had so many anniversaries ahead with his wife. Our heartfelt condolences go out to this young woman from everyone in Volusia County. We were all hoping that the dedicated work of our lifeguards, EMS team, and emergency room staff would bring him back to her,” he added.
City officials confirmed to WTVG that two other people were also “indirectly struck” by lightning in New Smyrna Beach on Friday.
Both victims were reportedly golfing at the Venetian Bay Golf Course when they were struck. However, neither person had to be taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the outlet.
Florida experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state, averaging about 1.2 million lightning strikes each year, according to the Florida Department of Health.
This was the first death caused by lightning in Florida in 2025.
So far, there have been at least 3 lightning-related deaths in 2025, taking place in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas, according to the National Weather Service.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Volusia County Beach Safety and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
