Boater struck by lightning while on the Intracoastal Waterway dies

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - A man in North Carolina has died almost two weeks after he was struck by lightning.

According to his obituary, 53-year-old Jason Gurganus died on July 10 at UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center.

According to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Gurganus and one other person were idling on a boat along the Instracoastal Waterway in Pender County on June 29 when lightning hit Gurganus around 1:30 p.m.

Officials said bystanders did CPR on Gurganus and were able to get him to the Marsh Creek/Scotts Hill Marina before he was taken to the hospital.

The other person in the boat when the lightning struck did not suffer any serious injuries.

A Celebration of Life for Gurganus is set to be held on July 17 at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.

N.C. Wildlife officials stated that 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.”