Jet skier struck by lightning in Florida

Multiple reports confirm a jet skier was struck by lightning near Fort De Soto in Pinellas County on Saturday around 6:35 p.m. The victim, identified as Steve Matheson of Utah, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead in one account and listed as life-threatening in another before confirmation of passing in follow-up reporting. The incident occurred at the north end of the Fort De Soto park area, amid ongoing severe weather threats in the Southeast. Authorities have not released extensive details about the exact circumstances, and updates from the sheriff’s office indicate limited information at the time. The National Lightning Safety Council notes this event as the fifth lightning-related death in Florida for the year. One article mentions a GoFundMe campaign set up by the family to bring Matheson home to Utah.