20 injured by lightning strike at South Carolina lake

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Several people were struck by lightning at a South Carolina lake.

Lexington County officials said 20 people were struck by lightning while at Lake Murray Public Park in Lexington on Tuesday afternoon.

Eight adults and 12 children were injured. Some were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and all are expected to recover.

According to the Irmo Fire District, a bolt of lightning hit Lake Murray and energized a metal cable with buoys that surround the swimming area.

The people hospitalized were either holding onto the cable or swimming nearby when the lightning struck.

The Lexington County Fire Service, Irmo Fire District, Lexington County EMS, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.