Two teenage boys drowned after their boat was struck by lightning in Orlando, Florida.
According to Orlando Fire Department officials, the lightning struck five students who were there practicing. Their vessel was then thrown into the water, and they lost control.
Five boys were all thrown overboard – leaving Gavin Christman, 13, missing and Langston Rodriguez-Sane, 12, in critical condition.
Langston was brought to shore by three of his rowing teammates, including two teammates who were also onboard.
Langston spent 2 weeks in hospital, before he succumbed to his injuries the day after his 12th Birthday.
Gavin went missing for one day, but emergency personnel found his body just 24 hours later.
Weather forecasts indicated that there would be rain, but no lightning warnings on the morning of the accident.
According to Orlando Fire Department Executive Chief Ian Davis, “We don’t know if it hit the vessel” or if the fire was in an area.
Two boys, who were not yet identified by authorities, suffered severe weather on September 15.
Langston Rodriguez Sane (11 years) was admitted to hospital for two weeks before succumbing to his injuries in a lightning strike. The incident occurred in Orlando, where the five rowers were training.
Gavin Christman was 13 years old and went missing for over 24 hours, before his body was discovered in Lake Fairview
Fox35 reports that members of the rowing club met to discuss safety measures in the wake of the tragedy.
Bill Zack stated that he wants lightning detectors in place to detect possible strikes at the lake minutes ahead of them.
‘We wish to shine a spotlight on the beauty and joy that Gavin and Langston brought into this world,’ said the GoFundMe page.
‘Gavin’s warm eyes and loving heart reached the soul of every person he met. In his thirteen years of existence, he had an innate sense and insight that was beyond measure. Gavin’s charming, good looks, keen intellect, and quick wit brought laughter to even the most mundane of situations.
The brightest light in the world was Lanston. On his twelveth birthday, his family and friends celebrated the joy he brought so many people’s lives.
His playful sense of humor made people around him laugh. This was especially true for his older sister. Unapologetically and uniquely himself.
GoFundMe is currently raising $27,095 toward its $40,000 goal. 251 donors have contributed to the cause.
In a September 24 post, the North Orlando Rowing nonprofit sports club said: ‘It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of a second rower involved in last Thursday’s weather-related tragedy.
Stock photo: View of Fairview Lake, the location where the lightning strike, is shown
The Orlando community placed flowers as a memorial to the two boys after the accident, set up outside of North Orlando Rowing Club
“The NOR Community is in a terrible place and will continue to work hard for our family members and all of our NOR colleagues during this trying time.
“We will continue to cooperate and support the investigation by USRowing and local authorities.”
“Until our investigation is completed, we cannot provide any further comments.
“We are overwhelmed by the love and support from all over the globe. Keep our loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
As a tribute to the boys, flowers were placed outside the Rowing Club by the Orlando community.
