Phillip, Diana and Jayme Schuyler were struck by lightning Saturday. Phillip, in his 80s, took the full force of the strike, and remains in the ICU.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A family of three was struck by a bolt of lightning at the St. Augustine Pier two days ago, and now their relatives are turning to the community for support.
The family of Phillip, Diana and Jayme Schuyler identified them as the three victims in Saturday’s lightning strike on the pier.
The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, prompting response teams from St. Johns County Fire Rescue (SJCFR) and the St. Augustine Fire Department to spring into action, providing treatment and evacuating those affected.
According to First Coast News, SJCFR reported that an elderly man sustained serious injuries and was taken to a trauma center. Meanwhile, two other individuals suffered non-life-threatening injuries; one was transported to a local hospital, while the other declined further medical transport.
Shelby Rivkin spoke with First Coast News Monday, identifying the man as her grandfather, Phillip. Rivkin said Diana is her grandmother and Jayme her aunt.
Rivkin said Phillip, in his 80s, took the worst of the strike.
“I was at home in Ocala and they had gone on vacation to St. Augustine,” Rivkin said. “[Phillip] was knocked unconscious and fell face first. He was airlifted immediately…to the Jacksonville hospital. The helicopter guy said that his heart stopped at least for a couple of minutes.”
In a GoFundMe organized by the family, a family member said Phillip was then airlifted to a specialized unit in Gainesville. Rivkin said he is doing “much better.”
Diana was unhurt in the strike, Rivkin said, despite standing right next to Phillip when it happened. Jayme was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
Despite Diana’s lack of physical injury, Rivkin said she has dementia, and Phillip took care of her 24/7. With him still recovering in the hospital, Rivkin said the task of taking care of her grandmother will be a “group effort” from the family.
“Bathing her, feeding her, taking care of her, basically all of that we’ll be responsible for,” Rivkin said.
The pier was closed off on Saturday following the lightning strike. St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell said the damage is minor.
“In Florida, it’s really weird,” Rumrell said. “You can see dark clouds to the west, and there’s beautiful sunshine here on the beach. If you hear thunder — seek shelter.”
Rumrell also talked about Florida being the lightning capital in the US.
“Over 528 people died from 1959 to 2024 lightning strikes here in the great state of Florida,” Rumrell said. “12 people throughout the United States last year were hit and killed, five of those right here in Florida. People, as you’re visiting our beautiful beaches, 42 miles of beautiful beaches here in St Johns County, the City of St Augustine Beach, anywhere in Florida that you’re outdoors, you hear the thunder roar head indoors.”
St. Johns County sent First Coast News the following statement about lightning detection systems in the area:
“St. Johns County has lightning detection devices at all its athletic fields. We are working towards installing lightning detection equipment at all major facilities, including the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier. Many of the parking lots, pavilions, boat ramps, and facilities among our 2,586 acres of parkland and the 42 miles of coastline near our public beaches are considered passive parks, with transient participation and lighting detection is used where it is applicable. Public safety will remain one of our top priorities.”
