Two girls were taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after being struck by lightning outside a Merritt Island home, the National Weather Service has confirmed.
The strike took place just after 3 p.m. on Via Salerno Court, and neighbors say the lightning hit the top of a tree near where the girls, aged 12 and 15, were standing.
Jemeri Bryan said he heard the lightning hit and ran outside to find a horrific scene.
"I came out — the girls were on the ground, the tree was on fire and I called 911 right away," he said.
Officials said the 12-year-old girl was taken to Cape Canaveral Hospital, while the 15-year-old was taken to Arnold Palmer.
No information was immediately released on the teens' conditions.
GIRLS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: 12, 15 yr olds struck underneath tree on Via Salerno Ct in Merritt Island during afternoon storms. Both rushed to hospital. Neighbor says the bolt was loud and jarring. @MyNews13 @MyNews13Weather #News13Brevard pic.twitter.com/9K4m0cjY4b
— Greg Pallone (@gpallone13) June 10, 2022