Seffner Man Killed By Lightning On Siesta Key Beach

SIESTA KEY, FL -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says 33-year-old Seffner resident James W. Barton died after being struck by lightning on Siesta Key beach Sunday, June 24.

According to the sheriff's office, Barton was on the beach near the 6000 block of Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key around 2:15 p.m. when he was struck by lightning.

A lifeguard on the scene and Sarasota paramedics performed CPR on Barton until he was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to deputies.

Barton, originally from Tazewell, Virginia, was a plumbing contractor for The Kitchen and Bath Factory. He attended Tazewell High School and Southwest Virginia Community College.

His mother, Talena Barton Goad, who lives in Hawthorne, said she's heartbroken. On Monday, June 25, she posted the following on her Facebook page:

"This has to be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I lost my son yesterday in a freak accident. He was hit by lightning. Jamie, I know that you're looking down on us and I know you're in heaven. That's the only thing that's get me through this. I love you so much, son."

Goad described her son as someone who always saw the bright side.

"He would say, 'Momma, it'll be alright," she said. "I keep hearing him say that to me now and I try to be strong but's so hard. My heart is so broken."

This is the third lightning death in Florida this year.

Image via Sarasota Fire Rescue