Florida teen dead from lightning strike on hunting trip with dad

Baylee Holbrook died Thursday morning surrounded by family, deputies said

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A Florida teenager and her father were both struck by lightning Wednesday while they were hunting, killing the 16-year-old and injuring her dad.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said that Baylee Holbrook, 16, and her father were hunting in Palatka, Florida when lightning struck a nearby tree, FOX 35 reported.

Baylee Holbrook's father lost consciousness after the incident and when he woke up, he saw his daughter not breathing.

She was transported to a local hospital where she was initially stabilized enough and taken to a trauma center in critical condition.

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florida teen dead from lightning strike on hunting trip with dad

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said that Baylee Holbrook, 16, and her father were hunting in Palatka, Florida, when a lightning strike hit a nearby tree, which hit them, FOX 35 reported. (Facebook/Baylee Holbrook)

Holbrook passed away peacefully on Thursday morning surrounded by her family, according to deputies.

Dylan Holbrook, her cousin, told News4Jax the two of them had a close relationship.

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"It was like a brother-sister relationship. We always hunt, fish, all kinds of stuff like that," Dylan Holbrook said.

People who spoke about Holbrook said she loved Jesus.

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"Telling me ‘Hey, Tay you should come to church. Pastor Willie’s church, you would really like it.’ I gave it a try, I went last Sunday. I really like it," Cartaveon Valentine, Holbrook's friend, said.

Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on Twitter @asabes10.

Authored by Adam Sabes via FoxNews September 28th 2023