Newlywed dies on honeymoon after being hit by lightning bolt while stood in sea during freak incident
A newlywed has died during his honeymoon after being struck by lightning in a freak weather accident.
US couple Jake and Leah Rosencranz had travelled to the coastal city of New Smyrna in Florida for a delayed honeymoon last month when the 29-year-old was hit by a lightning bolt while stood in ankle deep water on 20 June. It's understood that there were clear skies over the beach at the time of the devastating accident, with Rosencranz's death being caused by a rare weather phenomena known as 'blue-sky lightning'.
"There was not a storm immediately over us," local beach safety director Tammy Malphurs explained to Denver Post.
"This lightning bolt came from a storm several miles away."
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According to MailOnline, local firefighters revealed two other nearby golfers were also struck by lighting minutes before Rosencranz - however, they did not need to be hospitalised.
Witnesses were able to pull Rosencranz from the water after the strike in order to perform CPR, as the strike had caused the newlywed to go into cardiac arrest.
Unfortunately, Jake would ultimately pass away at a local hospital the next day.
What is blue-sky lightning?
According to The Weather Channel, blue-sky lightning, also known as a 'bolt from the blue' is when lightning strikes miles away from a thunderstorm, sometimes even appearing from a clear blue sky.
The phenomena occurs when a lightning bolt travels horizontally away from the storm for several miles before hitting the ground.
Witnesses on the beach have since spoken to local outlet WSVN News about the incident, revealing the lightning strike appeared to come out of nowhere.
"I saw lightning strike, like on the beach," said witness Pepper Pyle, adding: "Then I heard ‘help.’ They were screaming, ‘Help! Somebody’s been struck'."
Another witness, named Patrick Eichstaedt, revealed he'd witnessed the events while out surfing, adding: "It was pretty terrifying.
"That guy was, what I could tell, was in the water, and somebody tried to drag him out, and then they got help... Next thing you know, the lifeguard’s here and paramedics and everybody."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Rosencranz family have since issued a statement regarding Jake's death, saying: "Jake lived with a lightness and joy that touched everyone he met.
"He was doing what he loved — travelling, exploring, and being with the woman he adored. This loss is immeasurable."
A GoFundMe has since been set up for his wife Leah, aiming to raise money to 'financially support' for her as she navigates 'medical bills and other implications' after losing her 'husband and best friend'.
The fundraiser has managed to raise a total of $150k (£110k) at the time of writing.
Brenna Cooper