Happy Lightning Day

1 killed, 27 injured after lightning strike at July 4th party

Reported by: Chad Cookler

LAKELAND, FL -- A July 4th church party turned tragic after one man was killed and 27 others were injured following a confirmed lightning strike, according to Polk County Fire Rescue.

According to Polk Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Donna Wood, over 100 parishioners of the Iglesia Batista Marentha Church were gathered at a church property at 4444 Viola Road in North Lakeland Saturday afternoon.

Some were playing soccer and volleyball, while others were huddled underneath a pole barn, a small covered structure, Wood said.

Some of the party goers said they saw two lightning strikes, and then a flash at around 4:40pm.

According to Polk County Fire Rescue one of the strikes hit the barn.

That's when witnesses said they saw 30-year-old Benjamin Gonzalez of Lakeland collapse. Church members ran to Gonzalez's aid and one called 911. Gonzalez was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he later died.

18 others were also hurt after the lightning strike, Wood said. In addition to Gonzalez, 9 others were were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, another 5 were taken South Florida Hospital in Plant City, and 4 were taken to Bartow Medical Center.

All of the injured were treated and released.

9 more people were treated at the scene.

Wood said there was no immediate evidence that Gonzalez or any of the injured were directly hit by lightning.

Witnesses told investigators there was a light drizzle and some clouds in the sky, but no apparent signs of severe weather before they saw the lightning.

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