Skip to main content
On Air Now
Listen Now

4am to 7am

Listen Now

1am to 6am

'In one terrifying second everything changed': Man, 29, dies after being struck by lightning on honeymoon

Florida, Miami Beach, dramatic lightning storm over Atlantic Ocean at night
The fatal freak accident happened at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Picture: Getty

By Flaminia Luck

A man has died in a freak accident after being struck by lightning while on his honeymoon.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Jake Rosencranz was ankle-deep in the water at a beach in Florida when it happened.

Emergency services performed CPR at the scene at New Smyrna Beach, near Daytona Beach, on Friday afternoon officials from the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue told local TV station WKMG.

The 29-year-old from Colorado was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he sadly died the next day.

Local fire officials say two golfers were indirectly hit nearby minutes beforehand - but didn't need to go to hospital.

A fundraiser has now been set up to support his wife.

Read more: Aldi issues urgent recall as it pulls cupboard staple from shelves over allergy risk

Read more: British sex offender behind 'fake Disneyland wedding' to girl, 9, staged string of stunts including naked O2 explosion

The man was struck at New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida
The man was struck at New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida. Picture: Getty

'Terrifying'

The Sheriff of Volusia County, Mike Chitwood, confirmed the death on Facebook.

He said: "Saying a prayer for this young man and his wife. They were visiting our beaches to celebrate their marriage.

"In one terrifying second everything changed.

"My heart goes out to them tonight.

"I also want to thank everyone who worked so quickly to render aid and get him to the hospital for a fighting chance."

Saying a prayer for this young man and his wife. They were visiting our beaches to celebrate their marriage. In one...

Posted by Mike Chitwood on Friday, June 20, 2025

He later went on to add: "At 29 years old, he should have had many more anniversaries with her for years to come.

"Sending sincere condolences to this young woman on behalf of all of us in Volusia County who were hoping against hope that the diligent efforts of our lifeguards, EMS team and ER staff would bring him back to her."

Mr Rosencranz is one of four people in the US to be killed due to lightining strikes this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.

More people die from lightning strikes in Florida every year than in any other state, according to the National Weather Service.