Steve Matheson, a father of four from Utah, died after being struck by lightning while riding a jet ski near Fort De Soto Park in Florida.
Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area shortly after 6.30pm on Saturday following reports that a man on a personal watercraft had been hit by lightning.
Matheson was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead. The incident happened near the northern end of the park, close to Tierra Verde, south of St Petersburg.
His childhood friend David Cole told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that the pair had been riding near Egmont Key when the weather changed suddenly. They began heading back towards shore, but Matheson was struck while riding around 15 to 20 yards ahead of him.
Mr Cole said he saw the lightning hit the water and Matheson before his friend fell into the sea. He remained with him and flagged down a passing boat for help.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said no further details about the circumstances had been released. Matheson’s family and friends are raising funds to support his wife and children following his death.
