ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando student was released from the hospital on Wednesday a day after lightning struck a tree in a parking lot, according to fire officials.
The First Academy posted on Facebook that a middle school student was injured during the lunch hour in the campus parking lot near Bruton Boulevard.
Fire officials said the 14-year-old was taken to the hospital in stable condition. He was alert but lethargic when paramedics arrived just after noon, officials said.
The school said in a statement to News 6 that the mother of the student says, “that [the student] rested comfortably last night and is doing very well. The doctors weren’t able to determine exactly what happened yesterday, but we are thankful that he was released from the hospital today. We’re hopeful that he’ll return to school this week. I appreciate everyone at The First Academy for their prayers and love. I would also like to thank the EMS workers and first responders at The First Academy for their wonderful response to yesterday’s incident.”
The school added that the safety team will conduct a thorough review of all safety policies and procedures.
The school later released an update from Dr. Steve Whitaker, head of school.
“This afternoon, during the inclement weather, a Middle School student was injured. He was responsive when paramedics arrived and he was transported to the hospital. Those attending the student were not certain as to the cause of the injury. We are thankful for the rapid and professional response from EMS and our campus safety team.” Despite some reports in the media, we have yet to determine the exact cause of the student’s injury.
"Staff from the school and the church joined the family at the hospital to support and encourage. At last report, the student was feeling well and enjoying a Subway sandwich that Patrick Barrett (Assistant Head of School for Scholastic Excellence) purchased for him.
"Thank you for your prayers and concern. The safety of your children is our highest priority."
Last year, the school was equipped with two lightning alert systems that sounds an alert when lightning is detected. A neighbor told News 6 he doesn't recall hearing one on Tuesday.
News 6 asked the school if the alert system went off on Tuesday, and the school responded on Wednesday saying that they are "... grateful for the lightning alert system that was in place and working properly."
The system was gifted to the school from a family whose son was killed from a lightning strike.
"Every time it rains it reopens the wound, but today it's reopening anger. This should not have happened," said Chuck Waltington, whose son was killed by a lightning strike. Since his son's death, Waltington and his wife have donated lightning alert systems to schools.
"I have been told by my daughter, who talked with many of her friends today, (and) they said that the sirens had been going off a lot. All week long. And that they heard the sirens go off today," he said.
A representative with Earth Networks, the company which notes the alerts, said an alert went off at 11:56 a.m. Tuesday. Orlando Fire Department was dispatched to The First Academy seven minutes later.
The head of school, Dr. Steve Whitaker, made a post to the school's Facebook page Tuesday night.
"We are thankful for the rapid and professional response from EMS and our campus safety team,” he said. "...we have yet to determine the exact cause of the student’s injury.
"Staff from the school and the church joined the family at the hospital to support and encourage. At last report, the student was feeling well and enjoying a Subway sandwich that (assistant head of School for Scholastic Excellence) Patrick Barrett purchased for him.
"Thank you for your prayers and concern. The safety of your children is our highest priority."
No other details were immediately available.
Lightning Fatalities Since 1940 | Graphiq
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Fatalities From Lightning Hazards vs. All Other Natural Hazards | WeatherDB