A 16-year-old girl has died after being struck by lightning while hunting with her father in Florida, officials said Thursday.
Baylee Holbrook and her father were hunting Tuesday in Putnam County, about 30 miles east of Gainesville, when a bolt hit a tree and struck them, local law enforcement said.
Trinity Baptist Church shared the heartbreaking update of her death two days later, writing, “This morning at 9:32 a.m. Baylee Holbrook placed herself in the arms of Jesus…Matt, Casey and Kylee are grateful for the love and support they showed her. “ We ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time.
Holbrook was surrounded by her family at the time of her death in the hospital, the church added.
All sporting events at Holbrook High School on Thursday were canceled out of community mourning.
Baylee Holbrook, 16, has died after being struck by lightning while hunting with her father
Holbrook and her father were hunting Tuesday in Putnam County, about 30 miles east of Gainesville, when a bolt hit a tree and hit her
“All are invited to a time of fellowship and prayer throughout the day today at the CL Overturf Auditorium.” “We are praying for the Holbrook family and reflecting and sharing,” the church said on Facebook.
Holbrook’s father lost consciousness after the bolt struck, and when he woke up he found the teenager wasn’t breathing. He quickly called 911 and performed CPR on his daughter until deputies and first responders arrived.
Holbrook was transported to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and taken to a trauma center, where her condition was listed as critical.
“She has proven to be a fighter and our prayers go out to her, her family and her friends,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.
After learning of her death, the teen’s relatives took to social media to honor her.
“As I sit here with tear filled eyes I keep asking God why, why Baylee? Why are they always the good guys? Why do bad things happen to such good people? “So young… I’m angry and sad at the same time,” Ryan Eubanks wrote.
“God, please put your hands around this family. Hold them and don’t let them go!!’
Holbrook was taken to the hospital, where she died Thursday
All sporting events at Holbrook High School on Thursday have been canceled
Holbrook’s classmates gathered Wednesday morning to pray for the Palatka Junior-Senior High School student’s recovery.
The community gathered again later that evening for a vigil in her honor in the school gymnasium.
“She cares so much about everyone else.” “She has a heart for her friends, people she loves, people she comes into contact with, she has a heart for people in general,” the family spokesperson said , Willie McKinnon, to WOKV.
Holbrook was a varsity cheerleader and the team will honor her by wearing her favorite color, green, ribbons and bows, at their game on Friday.
Her friends described her as a pillar of the community with a smile that could light up any room.
“She’s hilarious, she always has a smile on her face.” “She may be fighting the worst day, but she comes out with a smile on her face,” Kaitlyn Sanders said.
“It’s like a brother-sister relationship, we hunt all kinds of fish,” her cousin said. “She’s a fighter and I know she’s going to stick with it and I love you, Baylee.”
McKinnon shared a message from her parents: “Please ask God to do the only thing He can do and that is to perform a miracle.”
Holbrook’s classmates gathered around Palatka Junior-Senior High School on Wednesday to pray for her recovery
The community held a vigil for the 16-year-old on Wednesday evening. A spokesman for the family had asked people to pray for her recovery
The sheriff’s office said there has been an increase in lightning strikes in the area over the past two days and warned the community about the upcoming forecast.
According to Fox Weather, severe weather was reported across the Sunshine State as the front was blocked to the north and numerous showers and storms developed up and down the Florida Peninsula.
They forecast thunderstorms to affect the state through the weekend, with at least 2 inches of rain falling in most parts of the state through Saturday.
About 40 million lightning strikes occur in the United States each year, but according to the CDC, the chance of an actual lightning strike occurring within 12 months is less than one in a million.
Survivors reported ringing in the ears, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe burns, mental health problems, vision problems, heart palpitations and more.