Lightning Kills One, Injured Another on Shell Island

Two persons on Shell Island were struck by lightning shortly before noon today.

Severe weather has prevented rescues from getting to the scene for almost an hour after the strike.

One person was killed and another, a 14 year old youth, was injured.

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"They were getting ready to go back home today is my understanding, they wanted to go out for one last walk," said Ruth Corley with the Bay County Sheriff's Office.

Corley said the family had been staying on a boat near the island for a couple of days.

"The weather got bad, and they decided to go back to the boat," Corley said.

14-year-old Tristan Barger had an ankle injury. His stepfather, 42-year-old James Keith Brown, decided to carry him on his back, like any father would. Then, a sudden strike

"The mother turned around after hearing it and found them both face down on the sand," Corley said.

Brown was pronounced dead on the scene. Barger was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in critical condition by ambulance, due to the nasty weather. It's the second death by strike in Florida this year, and the 19th nationwide.

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14 year old Tristan Barger died Wednesday night at about midnight at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola from injuries suffered from a lightning strike.

Barger and his step father were struck by lightning Monday as they were trying to get back to their boat. The family was walking on the beach on the last day of their vacation when a storm hit Shell Island.

Barger and his stepfather, James Keith Brown, age 42, were both struck by lightning at the same time. Brown was carrying Barger on his back due to recently ankle injury.

Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.



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