Lightning Strikes 12 People At Venice Beach, 1 Man Dead, 1 Critical
VENICE (CBSLA.com) — Lightning struck twelve adults and a 15-year-old on the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Sunday killing one man and critically injuring another.
The deceased was 20-years-old, according to the Coroner. The man was taken to Marina Del Rey Hospital where he was declared dead.
The lightning strike also caused a power outage in the area.
Los Angeles City Fire reported that the incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. in the 3500 block of Ocean Front Walk.
Officials said eight of the 13 people struck were transported to the hospital.
The critically injured person was taken to UCLA Medical Center.
The people who complained about being struck by the lightning were either in the water, or very close to it, said LAFD Battalion Chief Armando Hogan.
"I heard this crackle and there was this giant bolt of lightning shooting across the sky and the loudest thunder I've ever heard," said witness Joe Doro.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a statement Sunday evening: "Amy's and my prayers are with the victims of the lightning strike today at Venice Beach. This tragedy reminds us that we can take nothing for granted or underestimate the power of nature."
Officials didn't have an estimate on how many people have been affected by the power outage.
A little more than an hour earlier, a 57-year-old man was struck by lightning on Catalina Island after a mid-day thunderstorm touched off at least two brush fires.
The National Weather Service reported a thunderstorm was located between the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Catalina just before 1 p.m. In addition to lightning, the storm was producing "locally heavy rainfall," according to a special weather statement. A special marine warning was issued as well, cautioning boaters that thunder, lightning, hail and choppy waves were possible.