Units from Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a lightning strike at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
The incident occurred near 7 Rockaway Street on Clearwater Beach.
A witness stated that CPR was being performed on one victim of the lightning strike. The others did not appear to have life-threatening injuries.
As of 1:10 p.m., additional units were still being requested to evaluate additional patients.
Four victims were transported to Morton Plant and one to Tampa General. Three others were treated at the scene and refused further medical care.
On Wednesday, Clearwater Police reports that the patient that was struck by lighting and went into cardiac arrest has died. He has been identified as 32 year-old Garry L. Perks of New Port Richey, Florida.
Clearwater police say the lifeguards all left their towers due to bad weather at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Police remind people to take cover and go to a safe place when lightning and thunder are present.
The call was upgraded to a mass casualty incident.
Updates if/when made available.