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Twenty people were injured on Tuesday (June 24) when lightning struck Lake Murray at Dominion Beach Park in Lexington County, South Carolina. According to county officials, the lightning strike affected eight adults and 12 children. Twelve of the victims were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, along with the county's fire service and EMS, responded swiftly to the scene. A county spokesperson highlighted the importance of strong relationships with local agencies, which ensured a quick and coordinated response to assess and care for the injured.
Dominion Beach Park is set to reopen on Wednesday (June 25) following a safety inspection by local authorities. The incident at Lake Murray is part of a concerning trend, as the National Lightning Safety Council reports that lightning continues to be one of the top storm-related killers in the United States. While fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, many people still suffer injuries, some with long-term health effects.
The council advises the public to postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are forecasted, noting that lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a storm. This incident follows other recent lightning strikes, including a fatality in Florida last Friday.