Lightning strike kills 2 teens during fishing trip in Ware County, Georgia
Two teenagers were killed by a lightning strike while fishing near Lejuene Road in Ware County, Georgia, at around 21:05 local time (LT) on July 10, 2025. The teens, aged 18 and 19, were found unresponsive at the scene by first responders about one hour later.
Two teenagers were killed by a lightning strike while fishing at a pond near Lejuene Road, west of Waycross in Ware County, southeast Georgia, on the evening of July 10.
The Ware County Sheriff’s Office reported that emergency services were dispatched around 22:16 LT, after receiving a call about a possible lightning strike. Upon arrival, authorities found two unresponsive male victims at the scene.
The deceased were aged 18 and 19 and were both graduates of Ware County High School. They were members of the 2023 state championship football team and had recently completed their senior and junior years, respectively.
Preliminary findings indicate the lightning strike occurred shortly after 21:00 LT, during a thunderstorm affecting the Waycross area. Weather conditions at the time included cloud-to-ground lightning and heavy rainfall.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is leading the official inquiry into the event. As of July 11, this incident represents the eighth lightning-related fatality in the United States in 2025. A significant proportion of lightning deaths in the U.S. historically involve fishing or water-related activities.
The National Lightning Safety Council notes that lightning can strike more than 16 km (10 miles) from a storm’s center, with water bodies presenting an elevated risk due to conductive surfaces and lack of shelter. The Council recommends ceasing all outdoor activities, particularly fishing and boating, as soon as thunder is heard.
Featured image credit: aiacPL/Pixabay
I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
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