18-year-old man died after being struck by lightning while kayaking in Florida
Michael Vargas, 18, died Sunday after being struck by lightning while kayaking with his father on the Blackwater River in Santa Rosa.
An 18-year-old man lost his life after being struck by lightning while kayaking on the Blackwater River in northwest Florida.
The victim was identified as Michael Vargas, who was carrying out the recreational activity with his father on Sunday afternoon when the incident occurred, reported the New York Post.
According to authorities, the young man received a direct hit from the lightning and immediately fell into the water from his boat.
His father witnessed the accident
The incident occurred before the eyes of his father and employees of the Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation organization, who were in the area.
Witnesses immediately began a search to locate the young man in the river after seeing him disappear underwater.
Shortly after, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received the report of the disappearance and mobilized resources for rescue efforts.
The search involved the participation of multiple emergency agencies.
In addition to the FWC, agents from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office dive team and Daphne Search and Rescue personnel intervened.
Authorities later located Vargas' body in the water.
Authorities express their condolences
After confirming the death, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued a message of condolences to the young man's family.
“The FWC extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Michael Aiden Vargas during this difficult time,” the agency said in a statement.
Second lightning death in the United States this year
According to the National Lightning Safety Council, this is the second death caused by lightning recorded in the United States during 2026.
The first occurred in April, when a 41-year-old man died after being struck by lightning while walking through a parking lot in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
The organization's statistics show that, since 2016, an average of 17 people die each year in the United States as a result of lightning strikes.
Safety specialists recommend immediately leaving rivers, lakes, beaches and boats when there are signs of a storm or electrical activity in the atmosphere, since water and open spaces significantly increase the risk of being struck by lightning.