Lightning Kills NC College Student

September 28, 2008

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) - Authorities say a college student from Maryland has died after lightning struck near where he was swimming off the North Carolina coast.

University of North Carolina Wilmington officials say the body of 18-year-old freshman John Edward Sackett of Annapolis, Md., was recovered Friday afternoon from the ocean near Wrightsville Beach.

Sackett and a group of friends were surfing when a thunderstorm came up suddenly with lightning and heavy rain. All were able to return to shore safely except for John. Witnesses said that lightning struck Sackett and he struggled before going underwater. Rescuers performed CPR on Sackett before he was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Sackett was pronounced dead at the hospital.