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Two People Killed By Lightning Strike At Local Park

MT. PLEASANT, Pa. (KDKA) - Two individuals were struck by lightning and killed in Westmoreland County.

Westmoreland County first responders confirmed that one man and one women were struck in Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township around 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Mammoth Park Lightning Strike
Photo Credit: (KDKA)

Watch Ross Ross Guidotti's live report:

The Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth A. Bacha released the identities of the two victims, 18-year-old Brendan A. McGowan of North Huntingdon Township and 19-year-old Kaitlyn E. Rosensteel of Donoroa Borough.

Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth Bacha says bystanders started CPR, followed by park police, but they were unable to revive the victims.

Watch live coverage of a press conference at the park:

A park official says the two were on the island part of the park's lake.

Mammoth Park Lightning Strike 5
Photo Credit: (KDKA)v

Witnesses reportedly heard a large crack and observed a flash of light in the area where the victims were fishing, according to investigators. The victims were found below a large splintered tree.

Both McGowan and Rosensteel were declared dead at the scene.

(TM and © Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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