Lightning Strikes Woman on Tampa Bay-Area Beach

Authorities say a Florida woman has died after being struck by lightning on a Tampa Bay-area beach.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says Phyllis Kalinowski of Brandon was visiting Belleair Beach with a friend Tuesday evening. The women separated shortly before a heavy thunderstorm rolled through the area.

After the storm, Dawn Ryskoskis of Brandon returned to the area where she last saw Kalinowski. According to the sheriff’s office, Ryskoskis found Kalinowski lying on the beach near the shoreline “with injuries indicative of a lightning strike.”

Authorities say Kalinowski died at the scene.