Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Baylee Holbrook
Topics: US News
Anish Vij
A 16-year-old girl has sadly died after she was struck by lighting.
Baylee Holbrook and her father were both hit after lightning struck a tree on Tuesday (26 September).
Her father - who'd went hunting with his daughter about 30 miles east of Gainesville, Florida - 'lost consciousness' before waking up to find that Baylee was in critical condition and not breathing.
"The father called 911 and began CPR as rescue personnel rushed to the scene," authorities said.
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"Deputies arrived first and took over life saving measures until rescue arrived and could transport the teen."
She was transported to the HCA Florida Putnam Hospital trauma center, where she died two days later on Thursday morning (28 September), Putnam County officials said.
On Facebook, Trinity Baptist Church wrote: "At 9.32 this morning, Baylee Holbrook entered into the arms of Jesus.... Matt, Casey and Kylee are grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
"We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family at this time."
They also revealed that the athletic events at her high school, Palatka Junior-Senior High School, had been cancelled for the night.
"All are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer at the CL Overturf auditorium all day today. We are in prayer for the Holbrook family and reflecting as well as sharing." they added.
Students were asked to wear green on Thursday 'to show our continued support for her and her family' in a Facebook post from the school.
And a vigil was also held in the school's gymnasium for Baylee, which saw hundreds gather to pray for her, First Coast News reported.
"It's a very rare occurrence, it truly is, it's not something you see and hear a lot about," family friend, Willie McKinnon, told the outlet.
"You see car wrecks, you see all these other things, but this is a rare one.
"She cares so much about everyone else. She has a heart for her friends, people she loves, people she comes in contact with, she has a heart for people in general."
28 people in the US die each year from lightning strikes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The lightning strike happened amidst an increase in the area, the sheriff's office said on Wednesday (27 September).
"We want to remind our community that the forecast is predicted several more days of increased rain, thunder and lightning," they said. "Storms can come quickly and lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from any rainfall."
Tyla has contacted Putnam County for additional comment.