Man Hospitalized After Being Struck By Lightning In Margate
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MARGATE (CBSMiami) – A man has been hospitalized after being struck by lightning.
The strike occurred outside of the Oriole Gardens Phase One Condominium in Margate at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Monday.
Police say the man was working on a landscape job with his brother and two others when he was hit.
A 911 caller stated that a male lawn maintenance worker was lying face down in the grass.
Rescue workers arrived to find the male laying in the grass, unresponsive.
Iris Rosario, a woman who lives on the first floor of the building, saw the victim's brother frantic.
"His brother went through the back door and he was running, running, running, screaming my brother, my brother, don't go my brother and he came over here and he's crying," Rosario said.
Fire rescue workers were on scene treating the man.
The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Rico Eltine of Fort Lauderdale.
He was transported to Northwest Medical Center where he is currently listed in critical condition.
The company Eltine works for, Potter's Lawn and Landscaping, was doing lawn maintenance to the property inside the complex.
A string of storms have come across South Florida and are expected to bring strong wind, heavy rain, and lightning.
Authorities confirmed that a home in Coral Springs was also struck by lightning. No injuries were reported.
