Man Dies 3 Days After Lightning Strike On Clearwater Beach

CLEARWATER, FL — A New Port Richey man has died three days after being struck by lightning on Clearwater Beach. is in critical condition after being struck by lightning on Clearwater Beach Sunday.

According to the Clearwater Police, Garry L. Perks, 32, went into cardiac arrest at Morton Plant Hospital Wednesday and died.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue were called to Clearwater Beach at 12:42 p.m. Sunday when lightning struck a group of people on the beach behind Frenchy's Rockaway.

Perks was the only one directly hit by the lightning. He went into cardiac arrest and was transported to Morton Plant in critical condition. Seven other people were injured including one person who was taken to Tampa General Hospital's burn unit for treatment. Three others were also taken to Morton Plant and three were treated at the scene.

At 12:30 p.m., just before the lightning strike, Clearwater Beach lifeguards signaled beach goers to take cover due to the presence of thunder and lightning. The lifeguards also left their towers and found a safe place to wait out the storm.

One of the duties of the beach lifeguards is to monitor weather patterns and warn beach goers of approaching storms. When the lifeguard supervisor decided to clear the beach Sunday, all lifeguards on duty blew their whistles multiple times and signaled for swimmers to get out of the water and clear the beach. All lifeguards then raised the double red flags on their towers letting beach visitors know there was an approaching storm. They then sought shelter for themselves.

It's unclear why the group behind Frenchy's Rockaway was still on the beach 12 minutes after the lifeguards posted their flags. Witnesses told police that the group was packing up and trying to leave the beach when the lightning struck.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue offers the following advice:

• Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain and may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms before any rain arrives or after storms have seemingly passed and the rain has ended. Don’t be fooled by blue skies. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat.
• Monitor the weather. Look at the weather radar frequently when outside. Look for signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorms such as towering clouds, darkening skies or flashes of lightning.
• Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, seek safety immediately. Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing are best. A hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed is also safe. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do not protect you from lightning.
• If you are on Clearwater Beach, pay attention to the lifeguard tower flags. When double red flags are raised, this means there are unsafe conditions on the beach. Seek shelter until the storms pass the beach and the beaches are deemed safe by lifeguards.
• If someone is struck by lightning, move the victim to a safer place, begin CPR and call 911. Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and you are in no danger when giving first aid to the victim.