Lightning strike hits Venice Beach; 2 critically injured

VENICE, LOS ANGELES -- A 20-year-old man was killed and another person critically injured after lightning struck Venice Beach on Sunday, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

The strike happened in the 3500 block of Ocean Front Walk around 2:30 p.m. Thirteen people, including a 15-year-old, were evaluated at the scene, and at least one person required CPR, city fire spokeswoman Katherine Main said.

Eight patients were initially hospitalized after being struck. Two of the eight patients, a surfer and a swimmer, were transported to local hospitals in extremely critical condition; the swimmer succumbed to his injuries. Both critically injured patients were closest to the lightning strike, and reportedly took the brunt of the electrical current.

Lifeguards were searching for the swimmer, who went missing in the water, following the lightning strike. He was found in full cardiac arrest 90 minutes later. Emergency personnel performed CPR and transported him to Marina Del Rey Hospital in critical condition , where he succumbed to his injuries.

The surfer was transported to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood in critical condition, where he remains.

Two people were transported with minor injuries to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica. Officials say the majority of the victims were mainly shaken up and were expected to recover.

Those who were at the scene and saw the lightning strike say it was a horrifying experience. Others said they felt the electricity as it surged through the water.

"Out of nowhere, we heard like a thunderstorm," witness Jason Alas said. "It was like really, really loud."

Stuart Acher was playing volleyball when "all of a sudden there was a big flash of light and a boom," he said.

"It felt like someone punched me in the back of my head," Acher said. "It went down the whole right side of my body. My calves sort of locked up and I fell over, and I looked up and everybody else was sort of falling over."

Acher was treated by paramedics at the scene and released.

Man struck by lightning on golf course on Catalina Island

At least three lightning strikes sparked two brush fires in the Santa Catalina Island area around 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The fires were quickly doused.

A 57-year-old man was struck by lightning on the golf course, Avalon Sheriff's Station deputies said. He was treated and transported to Catalina Island Medical Center in stable condition.

Lightning and fires caused downed power lines and minor flooding in the area.

Car catches fire after lightning strikes home in Redondo Beach

A car caught on fire after lightning struck a home in Redondo Beach Sunday, knocking wires down.

The incident occurred in the 1600 block of Haynes Lane.

Three to four homes were damaged. No one was injured.

The unusual weather came from monsoon moisture that brought a line of brief but fierce afternoon thunderstorms to the region.