PEMBROKE PINES, FL – A horrific event unfolded in Pembroke Pines on Wednesday afternoon. A 16-year-old boy, identified on social media as Cameron Day, died due to a suspected lightning strike. Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue reported that Day, an 11th grader at McArthur High School, was riding his bike home from band practice when he paused in a neighborhood located just south of Pines Boulevard off SW 67 Avenue.
Local resident Zandra Laguna noted that Day was standing across the street on his bike, appearing to be waiting for someone. A storm began shortly after, featuring a notably loud lightning strike that scared Laguna into her house. When she ventured outside a few minutes later, an ambulance had arrived and paramedics were attending to Day, who lay motionless on the ground.
According to Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue, Day was found in cardiac arrest beneath a tree. Despite treatment on the scene and being rushed to a hospital for treatment, Day succumbed to his injuries. Fire rescue personnel indicated that the visible burn wounds on Day’s chest and inner thighs suggested a lightning strike as the cause.
Speaking to reporters, one of Day’s classmates said, “I’m never going to see him again, it’s kind of sad to think that could happen to anyone.”
Mark Howard, Principal of McArthur High School, has assured that grief counselors will be accessible to students as long as necessary, acknowledging the immense shock and sadness filling the student body.