Man dies after being struck by lightning while on honeymoon in rare phenomenon on sunny day

A man has died after being struck by lightning while on his honeymoon in Florida, despite clear weather at the time of the rare and fatal weather phenomenon.

Jake Rosencranz, 29, was standing ankle-deep in the water at New Smyrna Beach, near Daytona Beach, when he was hit by lightning on Friday afternoon, according to Volusia County Beach Safety officials. Emergency responders performed CPR on the scene before rushing him to hospital in critical condition.

Despite efforts to save him, Jake was pronounced dead the following day. The newlywed, who was visiting from Colorado, had been in Florida to celebrate his wedding with his wife, Leah.

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Local authorities said the strike occurred suddenly and without warning, on what appeared to be a mostly sunny day. The rare phenomenon has been called a "bolt from the blue", which is a cloud to ground lightning strike that appears to come out of a clear sky, hence the name.

Following the incident, the Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood 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.”

After Jake's death was confirmed, the sheriff added, “At 29 years old, he should have had many more anniversaries with her for years to come.”

Minutes before the lightning struck Jake, two people playing golf nearby were also indirectly affected by a lightning strike, though neither required hospital treatment, the local fire department confirmed.

Jake's death marks the fourth lightning-related fatality in the United States this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.

Florida consistently records the highest number of lightning strike deaths in the country, with the National Weather Service citing its frequent thunderstorms and large population as contributing factors.

The NWS office in Columbia, South Carolina, had issued a Special Weather Statement about five minutes before the lightning strike warning that a strong thunderstorm was heading for western Lexington County with lightning and gusts to 50mph.

Jake's loved ones have since launched a GoFundMe to support his widow Leah "who will be navigating life without her husband and best friend."

The fundraiser adds: "During this difficult time, we are looking to financially support Leah as she deals with medical bills and other implications in the wake of the loss of Jake."

So far, over $139,000 (£101,000) has been raised.