VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 55-year-old Port Orange man was struck by lightning while fishing Saturday morning, Volusia County Beach Safety personnel said.
Beach Safety responded at 6:50 a.m. regarding a call that was made by the man himself after he had been struck while fishing on the North Jetty in Ponce Inlet. Officials said he stated the bolt struck his rod while he was casting.
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Emergency crews arrived and made their way out onto the jetty during the lightning storm, officials said.
The man was alert and conscious. Officials said he was assisted off the jetty and taken to Halifax. Later he was taken to a specialist at an Orlando-area hospital. He was in stable condition Saturday.
It was determined the bolt went through the pole and exited the man's left rib cage, officials said. He was wearing neoprene waders, which may have helped save his life.
The red flag was also flown Saturday due to hazardous rip current conditions, officials said.
A GoFundMe was started to help cover the man's medical bills.