Lightning Strike Injures 20 People at Beach in South Carolina

On Tuesday evening, twenty individuals sustained injuries when lightning struck a beach in South Carolina, according to local officials. The incident occurred near Lake Murray, leading to the hospitalization of twelve children and six adults. Additionally, two other individuals chose to seek medical attention independently following the strike. The ages of those affected, as well as the severity of their injuries, have not been disclosed at this time.

However, officials confirmed that the injuries are considered to be non-life-threatening. The lightning strike took place during what was otherwise a “super hot and sunny” day, with a brief storm cloud passing through the area, although it did not bring any rain. Vanessa Diaz, a spokesperson for Lexington County, described the weather conditions, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the lightning strike. She noted that the storm cloud appeared suddenly without any associated rainfall, making the event particularly surprising for people in the vicinity.

In response to the incident, several emergency services, including the Lexington County Fire Service, Irmo Fire District, Lexington County Emergency Medical Services, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the scene promptly. The lightning strike was reported around 5 p.m. at the Dreher Shoals Dam, which is part of the Lake Murray Public Park. Dominion Energy, the park’s owner, has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident. Following the lightning strike, Lake Murray Public Park was closed Tuesday night but is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, per Diaz’s statement.