Boater struck by lightning while idling along the Intracoastal Waterway

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - A man in North Carolina is in the hospital after he was struck by lightning Sunday, according to authorities.

Officials with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said two people were idling on a boat along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pender County when the lightning hit the man around 1:30 p.m.

Bystanders reportedly did CPR and were able to get the 53-year-old man to the Marsh Creek/Scotts Hill Marina before he was taken to the hospital.

Officials said the man was identified as Jason Gurganus. He is currently at the UNC Burn Center.

Authorities said another person was also on the boat at the time of the incident but did not suffer any serious injuries.

Wildlife officials said this is the second incident of its kind this year along the coast.

“There’s nothing we’re aware of that intentionally caused it, it’s just an act of nature,” N.C. Wildlife Capt. Branden Jones said. “With this week being the Fourth and even the next couple of weeks with people being from out of town, on vacation and everything, just something to be mindful of.”