Lightning — Hillsborough, Florida

1997-07-12 · near Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida

Event narrative

Two males were struck and injured by lightning, one fatal, while at a golfing range near the intersection of Westshore Blvd. and West Columbus Drive. Eyewitnesses reported the golfers were struck by the first observed lightning bolt that emanated from the cirrus anvil of a distant thunderstorm. The sun was shining at the time of the lightning strike.The two men were standing ten feet apart when the lightning bolt struck. The bolt struck the graphite club of the fatally injured golfer and passed through his body to the other severely injured golfer. Witnesses stated that both golfers were thrown several feet into the air when the bolt struck. The non-fatally injured suffered chest and facial burns from the lightning strike.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5616337. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.