Teenager Dies After Lightning Strike Off Tybee Island

(Tybee Island, GA) – A 15 year old girl has died after being struck by lightning while swimming in the waters surrounding Tybee Island.

On Saturday, June 12, 2021, at approximately 2:37 PM, the Tybee Island Police Department received a 911 call in reference to a female who had possibly been struck by lightning while swimming in the ocean near 17th Street. While speaking with dispatch, the caller stated that lifeguards had already arrived on scene. Tybee Island Police and Fire Department personnel were subsequently dispatched to assist as well.

Upon the arrival of the first officer on scene, the victim had already been removed from the beach and was undergoing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) from fire and lifeguard personnel. After learning that there would be an extended wait for Emergency Medical personnel to arrive, the Tybee Island Police Department dispatch center requested a helicopter to respond in order transport the victim to an area hospital. During this same time, first responders loaded the victim into a fire department vehicle and began to transport her with police escort.

Once on Highway 80, the transport units met an ambulance and the patient was turned over into the care of Emergency Medical personnel. Officers of the Tybee Island Police Department then escorted the ambulance to a nearby landing zone to await the arrival of the helicopter. A short time later, Emergency Medical personnel made the decision to continue the transport via ambulance and departed the scene.

After her arrival at the hospital, the victim was pronounced deceased. While meeting with the family, detectives learned that she was 15 years old and had been visiting Tybee Island from Alabama. The men and women of the City of Tybee Island are deeply saddened by the loss of this young woman and our hearts remain with her family and friends.