A popular Los Angeles beach became the scene of chaos after 13 people were struck by lightning, with two being left critically injured.
The thunderstorms swept the region, with lightning striking people around 2:30pm at Venice Beach. Four people were treated on sight while the remainders were taken to hospital. Of those four taken to the hospital, one was in grave condition and another in serious condition, reported Fox News.
People who were struck were in the water, on the sand, or on the boardwalk. One man was face down in the water after being struck while in the water.
Stuart Archer was one of those struck while on the beach, and described the strike as being like a punch.
“It went down my whole side of my right body, and my calves sort of locked up, and I fell over,” Archer said.
Archer was one of those examined on scene. He returned back to continue his game of volleyball he was deemed to be in good condition.
Around the time of the strike, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned about possible ground lightning by tweeting. The Weather Service warned people to “stay indoors” until the thunder passed, reported CNN.
Moisture from a monsoon brought about the rare and brief weather. Minor flooding also occurred as a result.