MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — 4 ladies vacationing at Marco Island have been knocked unconscious when lightning struck the tiki hut they have been sheltering underneath throughout a spherical of storms final weekend.
Now, as they get well, they’ve every been left with an unimaginable story to inform and 4 matching lightning bolt tattoos perpetually marking the unforgettable second.
Danielle Sturgill, Taylor Sturgill, Becky Johnson and Kelli Bryant, all from Kentucky, have been on a lady’s journey of their first ever go to to Marco Island.
They have been having a soothing seashore day on Saturday, June 21, nevertheless it did not keep that approach for lengthy.
“The rain began coming down like there was, there was no thunder,” the ladies stated in an interview with NBC affiliate WBBH. “And we bought underneath the tiki and that is when it occurred.”
Inside seconds, lightning struck the tiki hut they have been taking shelter underneath on the JW Marriot Seashore Resort.
“I utterly fell backwards,” Johnson stated. “Prefer it knocked me utterly out. Like I went unconscious. After which after I wakened, like I had a pounding in my head, just like the shock went by way of my physique, I could not hear. I can hardly see. I might barely stroll.”
A number of folks from the resort instantly ran to assist them. A lady who was on her balcony additionally occurred to seize the second lightning struck the hut on digicam.
“It was just a little nerve wracking,” Ashley Fenoglio Ramos stated. “So, there have been folks underneath the hood, and so I used to be just a little bit involved for his or her security, nevertheless it was so loud that it form of, like, jolted me.”
Marco Island police stated the lightning by no means hit the ladies straight, however did journey by way of the bottom after placing the tiki.
The ladies have been taken to the hospital with minor accidents. Days later, considered one of them nonetheless had a bruise on her arm, and one other had a bruise behind her ear.
Whereas the bruises will ultimately fade, the ladies needed to get a extra everlasting marker to recollect their lady’s journey and remind them of how they survived the terrifying ordeal. Every of them now has a lightning bolt tattooed on their ankle.
“We’re fortunate to be right here,” Taylor Sturgill stated. “And we’re so grateful.”
