October 2, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Lightning Kills 20-Year-Old Man In Venice Beach, Nine Other People Injured:

Lightning strikes in Los Angeles County killed a 20-year-old man in Venice Beach today and injured nine other people, one of them critically, authorities said.

Eight people — seven adults and a 15-year-old said in broadcast reports to be a boy — were hospitalized after lightning struck Venice Beach around 2:20 p.m., said Katherine Main of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Another was struck earlier on Catalina Island, according to the sheriff’s department.

Lt. Larry Dietz of the county coroner’s office said a 20-year-old man was pronounced dead at a hospital after being taken there from Venice Beach.

He was unable to confirm that the deceased victim was a swimmer who, according to the fire department, was in grave condition when pulled from the water and taken to a hospital with CPR in progress.

“The guy wasn’t moving. He wasn’t responding at all,” beachgoer Jesus Zamudio told the Los Angeles Times.

Six people, including the teen, were hospitalized in fair condition and were expected to fully recover, fire officials said.

All victims were believed to be identified, Main said.

City fire paramedics set up a triage and treatment center on the crowded beach near Washington Boulevard.

Thirteen people were assessed, including those who were hospitalized, according to reports from the scene.

Angelica Roquemore, who was visiting the beach with her family from Bakersfield, told The Times the lightning startled fishermen and others on the Venice pier.

“My hair was standing up,” she said.

Roger Davis, who told the newspaper he was inside his home on Ocean Front Walk near Driftwood Street when the lightning struck, said, “The whole place shook.”

He ran outside and saw his neighbor, who is a doctor, administering CPR to a victim, he told The Times.

Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a statement saying he and his wife were praying for the victims.

“This tragedy reminds us that we can take nothing for granted or underestimate the power of nature,” he said.

Also hit by lightning from the same storm, but 90 minutes earlier, was a 57-year-old man struck on a golf course at Avalon, on Santa Catalina Island.

Minor flooding hit Avalon, and at least two brush fires broke out as a thunderstorm hit there at midday today.

“At 12:55 p.m., Doppler radar indicated a line of thunderstorms between the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Catalina, producing locally-heavy rainfall,” the National Weather Service said. “This line of storms was drifting to the northwest at around 10 miles per hour.”

The small number of Los Angeles County firefighters and deputies on the island were scrambling with several simultaneous emergencies at and near Avalon, according to Sgt. Robert Berardi.

The Avalon lightning strike victim was preliminarily identified as a 57-year-old man, who was struck on a golf course. He was in stable condition a deputy at the sheriff’s Avalon Station said.

Two brushfires from lightning strikes were confirmed in the bone-dry back country, “and a couple more were popping up” as the storm moved northwest across the island, Berardi said. They were all put out quickly. Lightning also struck and damaged the exterior house and a car in Redondo Beach, where power outages were reported, according to media accounts.

The thunderstorm had earlier drenched the San Diego coast, and struck Santa Catalina Island at 12:45 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service issued a special marine weather advisory, warning of thunder, lightning, hail and possibly sudden choppy waves.

Thunderstorms are unusual along the Southern California coast because the ocean tends to cool the thermal dynamics required for such storms, NWS officials say.

The storm dissipated as it moved northwest up the coast.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Interview With Downtown Activist on Being Attacked by Homeless Suspect

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming. @smmirrornews John Alle was hospitalized after...

Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Into Citizen on Venice Beach Boardwalk

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

The Suspect Is Also Seen Drinking From a Modelo Beer Bottle By Zach Armstrong A potential drunk driver hit a...

Beloved Roosevelt Elementary Teacher Kitty Donohoe Leaves a Legacy of Inspiration

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

Longtime Educator Remembered for 35 Years of Dedication to Roosevelt Community By Gail Pinsker The Santa Monica – Malibu Unified...

$10K of Pickleball Equipment Destroyed in Memorial Park Arson

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Thanks to an Outpour of Donations and Support, Storage Bins Should Be Set Up by the End of Next Week...

Revolutionize Your Coffee Experience: Blue Bottle’s Exclusive Residency Unveiled

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

A Full Flavor Coffee Experience With Dessert Meant For Savoring  By Dolores Quintana Blue Bottle Coffee, a well-known specialty coffee...

Rebranded Breakfast Burrito Specialist Still Eyes 2023 Santa Monica Opening

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Earlier This Year, It Was Reported the Restaurant Will Expand in a Different Time Frame Than Initially Expected By Zach...

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...