CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. – A 5-year-old boy died after being hit by lightning on Sunday evening in North Carolina. The child was identified as Stephen Little of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
Dispatch says the emergency call came in at 4:11 p.m. at Carova Beach.
According to Chief Ralph Melton with Currituck Fire and EMS, the boy and his family were preparing to go back into their vehicle after spending time at the beach. As the boy and his father were getting into the car, the boy was struck by lightning.
The child suffered burns from the strike and went into cardiac arrest. EMS arrived on the scene and worked to save the child.
“Our crews took over, performed advanced life support, requested multiple air assets, but due to the weather, none of the medical helicopters were flying,” said Deputy Chief Tim Riley.
He was then rushed to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach, where he was pronounced dead.
“Bad things happen to good people. This was a wonderful family that came here, just seeking a wonderful time for vacation and unfortunately, a horrific event transpired,” Riley said.