A Colorado man’s romantic honeymoon turned into a devastating tragedy when a lightning bolt from miles away struck him dead as he stood in ankle-deep water at a Florida beach.
Key Takeaways
- Jake A. Rosencranz, 29, was fatally struck by lightning while standing in ankle-deep water at New Smyrna Beach, Florida during his honeymoon.
- The lightning strike came from a storm several miles away despite clear blue skies overhead at the beach.
- Beach safety officials had not closed the beach as there was no immediate storm in the area, highlighting the unpredictable danger of lightning.
- Despite lifeguards’ immediate CPR and emergency response, Rosencranz died from his injuries the following morning at AdventHealth.
- This marks Florida’s first lightning fatality of 2025, underscoring the dangerous reality of beach environments during storm season.
Deadly Lightning Strike During Clear Skies
Jake A. Rosencranz, a 29-year-old Colorado resident, was killed by a lightning strike while enjoying his honeymoon at New Smyrna Beach in Florida. The tragic incident occurred near 27th Avenue Beach as Rosencranz stood in ankle-deep water. What makes this tragedy particularly shocking is that the lightning bolt struck from a storm system several miles away, while blue skies remained visible overhead. Beach safety officials had not issued any warnings or closed the beach as there was no immediate storm threatening the area, making this deadly strike all the more unexpected.
“This was a very rare occurrence, there was not a storm immediately over us,” said Tammy Malphurs, Director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue. This lightning bolt came from a storm several miles away. So we still had blue skies over us.
Emergency Response and Tragic Outcome
Immediately following the lightning strike, lifeguards rushed to Rosencranz’s aid, performing CPR and other life-saving measures at the scene. Emergency personnel quickly transported him to AdventHealth in New Smyrna Beach for treatment. Despite the swift response and medical intervention, Rosencranz succumbed to his injuries Saturday morning, turning what should have been a joyful celebration of marriage into a heartbreaking loss. Officials confirmed that no other beachgoers were injured during the incident, which has been described as Florida’s first lightning fatality of the year.
“It’s one of those rare and just tragic things,” said Tammy Malphurs
Beach Safety Warnings and Precautions
This devastating incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can exist at beaches, even when weather conditions appear favorable. Lightning can travel significant distances from storm centers, striking areas where skies remain clear. Beach safety officials emphasize that visitors should always remain vigilant about weather conditions and take immediate shelter when storms are in the vicinity, regardless of how distant they may appear. The tragic death of Rosencranz highlights the reality that beaches are particularly vulnerable environments during lightning storms due to their open exposure and lack of shelter options.
Colorado man dies after lightning strike on Florida beach during honeymoon, officials sayhttps://t.co/HBDBa0GA8m
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 24, 2025
As summer beach season continues across Florida and other coastal states, this incident underscores the importance of weather awareness for all beachgoers. Lightning detection systems and weather alerts can provide critical warnings, but the unpredictable nature of these strikes means that extra caution is always warranted. Experts recommend leaving the water immediately at the first sign of approaching storms and seeking proper shelter, not beach umbrellas or small structures, until the threat has fully passed. This tragedy reminds us that nature’s beauty often comes with hidden dangers that require our utmost respect and caution.
