Two men attempting to stop a boat from sinking at Lake Waccamaw Sunday night were apparently injured by a lightning strike.
First responders were paged at 8:40 p.m., officials said. The men were trying to prevent a boat from sinking at the Lake Waccamaw Campground dock when at least one and possibly two bolts of lightning hit the lake. The men were not in close proximity to the lightning strikes, which Lake residents spotted around the time.
One man was transported to Novant New Hanover. The second man was evaluated at the scene by EMS.
Nakina EMS responded to the call, officials said, since Whiteville Rescue was assisting another patient at the time.
The National Weather Service confirmed that there were lightning strikes in the general area at the time.
Lightning can travel for several miles through water and still be dangerous, the NWS said. A “significant lightning threat” can extend six to ten miles from the base of any thunderstorm.
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