One of the two people struck by lightning Friday along the beach in Brevard County has died, law enforcement officials said.

  • 2 people struck by lightning in Brevard County
  • 1 of the victims died
  • Before Friday, there were four lightning deaths in Florida this year

Lamar Rayfield, 35, of Philadelphia was killed Friday.

According to Tod Goodyear, who is spokesperson with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, the lightning strike happened around 5:23 p.m. Friday near S.P.R.A. Park along State Road A1A in Satellite Beach.

Andre Bauldock, the second person struck, had non-life threatening injuries.

Even though Ashley Nolan was off duty, the Brevard County Ocean Rescue Captain instantly knew something was wrong.

"As I was driving home, I see a gentleman practically dart out into traffic, waving for help, so I kind of instantly knew that somebody had got struck by lightning. I saw the strike, saw how close it was, relatively to where the guy was running off the beach," said Nolan, a captain with Brevard County Ocean Rescue.

"Once a lifeguard, always a lifeguard. Even where you're off duty, you're still on duty because stuff can happen any time," Nolan said.

Neighbors also did what they could to try and save the man's life.

"I saw this lifeguard performing CPR on him and I ran out and grabbed my phone to call 911 and then went back down to relieve her of the chest compressions. I stuck with it until the (Brevard County) Fire Rescue showed up," said Pat Dalton.

Captain Nolan said the tragedy happened in the blink of an eye.

"I knew he had only been down less than a minute, I had just seen the strike happen right in front of my face," Nolan explained.

"That's what everybody else was asking, what made you want to help? Who doesn't want to help? I want to help. The guy is a human being," Dalton continued.

Officials said it is a somber reminder of the power of mother nature.

"Lightning in Florida in the summer time is not something you want to mess with. It only takes that one second, when you hope the rain will go away, it takes one second, one strike," Nolan said.

Both victims were from out of town, so it may take some time before their names are released by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

Before Friday, 10 people had died across the country because of lightning in 2017. Of those, four were in Florida -- the most of any state.

There were 39 deaths across the country in 2016. Ten of those were also in Florida, again the most in any state.

Florida is considered the lightning capital of America, with the most lightning strikes each year.

Lightning myths and facts

There are a lot of common misconceptions about lightning out there. Our weather experts debunk some myths.

MYTH: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
FACT: Lightning can strike the same place multiple times, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year.

MYTH: If it's not raining or there aren't clouds overhead, you are safe from lightning.
FACT: Lightning bolts can reach up to 15 miles outside of a thunderstorm!

MYTH: The rubber tires on a car will protect you.
FACT: As lightning strikes, the charge moves around the steel frame of the car before exiting into the ground through the tires.

MYTH: Going inside makes you 100 percent safe.
FACT: It's safer than being outside but you want to stay away from anything that conducts electricity such as electric appliances, plumbing (DON'T TAKE A SHOWER!), and metal door/ window frames.

MYTH: If you're caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should crouch down to reduce your risk of being struck.
FACT: It's better to just run for shelter or to a vehicle with a hard top because you are not safe anywhere outside.

MYTH: Trees provide good shelter from storms. 
FACT: Lightning can jump from the tree to you.

MYTH: If you touch a lightning strike victim you'll get electrocuted.
FACT: You can't get shocked by someone who has been struck by lightning, don't be afraid to help them out!

MYTH: Wearing metal on your body attracts lightning.
FACT: Wherever the metal may be, it makes no difference in determining where lightning will strike; height, shape and isolation are the main factors.

MYTH: Surge protectors can protect your home against lightning.
FACT: They are important parts of lightning protection system, but can do nothing to protect your home from a direct strike.

MYTH: If you are trapped outside, you should lie flat on the ground.
FACT: It does get you as low as possible, which is good, but it greatly increases your chance of being hit by a ground current, which is very bad.​