One dead from lightning strike

MELBOURNE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A man who took a direct lightning strike in Brevard County has died. The man was hit by the lightning Wednesday afternoon as he tried to get out of the water on Melbourne Beach in central Florida.

CPR was administered on Frank Paxton, 54, before he was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Paxton, his wife and adult son were on vacation, visiting from Oklahoma. His wife and son were also treated for burn injuries.

Just a few hours earlier, two Lake County men were also struck by lightning at a landfill near Clermont. Around 1:30 p.m., the two victims were working at the Log House Landfill when a witness saw the lightning strikes and called 911.

Both were transported to South Lake Hospital. One was in stable condition and the other in serious condition after emergency responders performed CPR.  Read more >>>

State issues warning

On the Fourth of July, one person was killed and 27 others injured near Lakeland. In response, Gov. Crist and state emergency management officials issued a statement urging residents and visitors to use caution during lightning storms.

Crist said in a statement released Wednesday that people should have a plan in place and seek shelter at the first sign of severe weather.

About 100 people from a church group were outside playing soccer and volleyball in Lakeland at a gathering Saturday when a lightning bolt or series of strikes hit nearby.

Authorities say 30-year-old Benjamin Gonzalez was hit while playing soccer and died at the hospital.

This year, there have been four lightning deaths in Florida, including the one reported in Melbourne on Wednesday.

About nine people are killed and 39 injured in Florida each year by lightning.