CAPE CHARLES, Va. — A 41-year-old Colorado man was killed and a woman was injured after both were struck by lightning at Cape Charles Beach on Thursday afternoon.
Cape Charles Police said emergency crews were dispatched to the beach near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Bay Avenue around 3:30 p.m. after reports of two people being struck by lightning.
First responders found the man in cardiac arrest. Despite life-saving efforts by emergency personnel, he died from his injuries.
The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Shore Daily News, citing town officials, reported the couple was visiting from Colorado.
Cape Charles Police Chief James Pruitt said the name of the man killed in the "tragic incident" will not be released.
WATCH: Lightning kills man at Cape Charles Beach: 'Out of nowhere'
The National Weather Service office in Wakefield posted a report of the incident around 4 p.m., with an update at 5 p.m.
"Fatality due to lightning strike relayed by 911 call center," the NWS Wakefield report reads.
Fatal lightning strikes are rare. First Warning Weather Forecaster Derrah Getter explained just how uncommon they are.
"The National Weather Service reports about 300 people are struck by lightning every year. Only three to 5% are injured by a direct strike. Most injuries and fatalities come from indirect strikes," Getter said.
Donna Dodds and her husband Sean were sitting in Old Town when they witnessed the storm firsthand.
"We saw like rescues rushing through, and we heard the lightning," Dodds said. "We heard the thunder and saw the lightning striking. It was a major jump. It was just very alarming."
When told about the fatal lightning strike, Dodds said the news was difficult to hear.
"Very heartbreaking. It's such a serene area, and just the odds of that happening is very sad," Dodds said.
Jim Granger, one of the quaint waterfront town's roughly 1,000 residents, said the incident put into perspective just how unexpected tragedy can be.
"You're coming for vacation, enjoying the town of Cape Charles, the beachfront and everything else," Granger said. "And then out of nowhere, nobody would have ever expected that you're gonna get killed by a lightning strike. It's very tragic."
Pruitt said the department extended its deepest condolences to the victim's family and loved ones.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time," Pruitt said.
WATCH: Storm damage reports from across Hampton Roads Thursday afternoon
Click here to see how we use AI at WTKR News 3.
