4 teenagers struck by lightning while under tree in downtown St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Four teenagers are recovering after the tree they were standing under was struck by lightning in downtown St. Petersburg on Thursday.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Operations Chief Richard Gomolak said crews responded to the corner of 3rd Avenue and Beach Drive around 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

"From what we know, it did strike the tree, which, obviously it's a very big tree," Gomolak said. "Those trees are pretty old there. Most of us have been in that area and kind of understand how big they actually are. So, any strike in the general area, along with the rain and the ground being wet, can create an issue. So, we don't think it was a direct strike on any one person in particular, but we think it hit the area and that kind of created a problem."

Courtesy: St. Pete Fire Rescue. 

First responders said three of the teens were listed as stable at either Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Pete or Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Ashley King, 16, is listed in critical condition, though, as of Friday after she went into cardiac arrest for 15 minutes while being treated, according to her dad. Paramedics were fortunately able to get a pulse as they pulled into Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.

She was later transferred to All Children's where she remains in critical condition.

FOX 13 has been in contact with her father after the incident. He said she is a rising junior at Hollins High School in St. Pete. He told FOX 13 he wants people to know that hiding under a tree in a storm is not a good idea.

Gomolak said some of the teens have slight burns. Paramedics responded to find two of the teens lying on the ground, and the other two approached first responders saying they were hurt as well.

Gomolak said when a storm is approaching, get inside, preferably in a large structure that’s covered with electrical or plumbing to help disperse any energy in case of a strike.

"Obviously, we live in Florida. We're very well aware of how fast the storms approach and how quickly they can come up on us, but take the threat seriously because people are struck by lightning. It is very serious, and I think we're lucky. A lot of people kind of take that for granted," Gomolak said.

Gomolak and Fox 13 FOX 13 chief meteorologist Paul Dellegatto said if you hear thunder, assume that lightning is in the area and find shelter.

"Lightning can strike seven miles, ten miles away from the parent thunderstorm, so even though you see a thunderstorm in the distance, if you hear thunder, technically you're in danger of being hit," FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto said. 

Viewer submitted video showed the scene after the lightning strike

Bystanders told FOX 13 that they heard the loud cracks of thunder and lightning and then almost immediately saw a sea of ambulances and fire trucks rush to the scene.

Lightning struck the Mari Jean Hotel just two miles away on Central Avenue twice Wednesday, according to the staff there. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Staff there said the building is close to a century old, and the strike caused chunks of concrete to rain down onto the sidewalk and the cabanas below.

"Lightning doesn't care. It takes the path of least resistance and usually strikes the highest point," Gomolak said. "The storms that we see every day, you know, you don't realize that people are going to go to their mailbox, people that are at sporting events, and these things come up. So, you have to take that threat seriously."

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