Update: Adventure Island Employee Struck by Lightning Identified

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco described Justin Inversso as “courageous.”

Inversso, 21, is the man who was killed yesterday, Sept. 10, while working on the Key West Rapids ride at Adventure Island. Inversso, a lifeguard supervisor, was standing in water, working on the ride, when lightning reportedly struck the tower, The Tampa Tribune reported.

Inversso is the son of Sgt. Frank Inversso, a bailiff supervisor with the Pasco sheriff’s office.

"Justin showed great promise as a young man and he cared a great deal about the safety of others. His actions not only to save the lives of the people in the park but his entire life demonstrated that he is and will always be a hero,” Nocco said in a release to the media. “His strong faith led him to live a courageous life of service. There is no question he is in the comfort of our Lord looking down on us.”

According to Tribune reports, Tampa Fire Rescue tried to revive Inversso, but efforts were unsuccessful. He was taken to University Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Editor's note: This article was updated at 8 a.m. Sept. 11.