3 Hospitalized After Lightning Strikes in Southwest Florida

A mother and two of her children were hospitalized after lightning struck near where they were standing in southwest Florida.

Manatee County Fire Rescue says the three were in their Bradenton yard early Monday when lightning struck nearby. Authorities say the three were released from the hospital.

The woman told local media that she was giving her children camping lessons when lightning struck nearby around 4 a.m. She and the two children suffered electrical shock.

A Lee County Sheriff’s Office patrol car also was struck by lightning early Monday. The deputy driving the car was not injured but had to pull over when its engine shut off.

According to the National Weather Service, Florida led the country last year with five deaths caused by lightning strikes.