Man passes away after being struck by lightning along Pender County coast

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A man has passed away after he was struck by lightning on June 29.

According to his obituary, 53-year-old Jason Gurganus passed away on July 10 at UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center.

According to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Gurganus and one other person were idling on a boat along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pender County on June 29 when lightning hit Gurganus at around 1:30 p.m.

Bystanders did CPR and were able to get the Gurganus to the Marsh Creek/Scotts Hill Marina before he was taken to the hospital, stated the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

The other person on the boat at the time of the incident did not sustain any serious injuries.

A Celebration of Life for Gurganus is set to be held on July 17 at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.

N.C. Wildlife officials stated that this is the second incident of its kind this year along the coast.

“There’s nothing we’re aware of that intentionally caused it; it’s just an act of nature,” said N.C. Wildlife Capt. Branden Jones. “With this week being the Fourth and even the next couple of weeks with people being from out of town, on vacation, and everything, just something to be mindful of.”