Lightning Strikes Man On Clearwater Golf Course

CLEARWATER, FL — A 76-year-old man was struck by lightning Friday morning while golfing at Clearwater Country Club.

According to Clearwater Fire & Rescue, the man was on the seventh hole around 11 a.m. when the bolt struck. The man was taken via ambulance to Tampa General Hospital.

Late Friday afternoon, fire rescue reported that Frank Sink had been upgraded to fair condition.

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So far, there have been 13 lightning-related deaths across the country in 2017. Florida leads the country with five deaths reported this year. The strikes occurred in Jensen Beach, Pembroke Pines, Fort Myers, Baker and Satellite Beach, according to the National Weather Service. There were 39 lightning-related fatalities in 2016. Florida led the country with 10 reported deaths, federal records show.

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The weather service has created a webpage dedicated to lightning safety and offers residents across the country these tips to stay safe in storms:

• Get inside
• Understand that if thunder is heard, lightning is close enough to strike
• Stay inside until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder is heard
• Once inside, stay off corded phones, computers and other electronic equipment
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets
• Steer clear of windows, doors and porches
• Do not lie on concrete floors or rest against concrete walls

For more information about lightning safety, visit the National Weather Service online.

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