Man Dies After Lightning Hits California Beach

LOS ANGELES — A 20-year-old man died after lightning from a rare summer thunderstorm jolted a Southern California beach, injuring or rattling more than a dozen people, authorities said.

Witnesses said they saw a glare of light and heard a tremendous boom as lightning struck the water off of Venice Beach around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Swimmers cooling off on a muggy day, volleyball players on the sand and people strolling the famous boardwalk were jolted.

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A 20-year-old man was taken from the beach to a hospital where he died, Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said. His identity was not immediately released. Read more...

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