Several People, Including Teachers, Struck by Lightning

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Three people were taken to a nearby hospital Thursday afternoon when they were struck by lightning in Jacksonville. According to KETK, as school was letting out around 3:15 p.m., two Fred Douglass Elementary teachers were escorting kids into a car when lightning struck, according to the Jacksonville Fire Department. Fire officials believe the bolt hit the top of an umbrella and traveled through the teacher holding it, then jumped to the teacher standing next to her in a puddle of water; both felt tingling. A mother and her 1st grade daughter, who were nearby, also felt tingling. Three of the four were transported to an area hospital as a safety precaution. They were treated and released with no major injuries. The names of the victim’s have not been released.