Teen killed by lightning on NC island
A teenager has died after being struck by lightning while he and his family waited on a private North Carolina island for a storm to pass.
Posted — UpdatedThe Wilmington Star-News reported Wednesday that 16-year-old Lucian Ellis of Sampson County was killed Monday when he was struck while talking with his family on Lea Island, south of Topsail Island. The family was on a fishing trip.
His mother was knocked unconscious but has been released from a hospital. Two other family members were not injured.
Pender County emergency officials took the family off the island by boat, then taken by ambulance to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
John Jensenius of the National Weather Service said lightning is a danger to anyone outside during a storm. He said an average of 62 people are killed each year in the U.S. by lightning strikes.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
