Construction worker struck by lightning identified
Alexi C. Cardona, alexi.cardona@naplesnews.com;
July 28, 2016
Bonita Springs, Florida
Lee County authorities identified a construction worker struck by lightning at a Bonita Springs construction site Monday afternoon.
Salomon Garcia-Martinez, 29, was working on the roof deck of a development on Renaissance Boulevard and U.S. 41 when he was struck, Bonita Springs fire officials said.
Garcia-Martinez is a Mexican national, according to Tiffany Wood, a Lee County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
The call came in to first responders around 3 p.m. Monday. When EMS and firefighters got to the scene, it looked like the man may have been gathering his construction materials and getting ready to take shelter from Monday afternoon's storm, said Battalion Chief Winthrop Telford of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District.
First responders tried to resuscitate Garcia-Martinez for about 25 minutes. He died at the scene.
DeAngelis Diamond Construction, the company building the development where the man died, issued the following statement:
"One of our long-time subcontracting team members (Advanced Roofing) had an employee suddenly and unexpectedly struck by lightning this week resulting in his passing. Our team onsite fought courageously to save him administering CPR until first responders could arrive. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to h
is family, friends, and coworkers."
A representative of the construction company said they are cooperating with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's investigation of Garcia-Martinez's death.
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Construction worker dies after lightning strike
Alexi C. Cardona, alexi.cardona@naplesnews.com; 239-403-6153 8:02 p.m. EDT July 25, 2016
A construction worker died after being struck by lightning on a construction site in Bonita Springs on Monday afternoon.
The man was working on the floor deck of a development on Renaissance Boulevard and U.S. 41 when he was struck, according to Battalion Chief Winthrop Telford, of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District.
The call came in to first responders around 3 p.m. Telford said that when EMS and firefighters got to the scene, it looked like the man may have been gathering his construction materials and getting ready to take shelter from Monday afternoon's storm.
"It was pouring rain when we got there," Telford said. "We're not sure if he was struck during the rain or before."
One of the man's co-workers was attempting CPR when first responders got to the site.
Lightning struck the man's chest and exited his lower left leg, according to Deputy Chief Cesar Sanchez, of Bonita Springs Fire. Lee County EMS tried to resuscitate the man for about 25 minutes. He died at the scene. The man, who Sanchez said is about 35 years old, has not been identified pending notification of family.
Florida has the highest number of lightning fatalities in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There have been 18 other lightning fatalities this year, according to information from the National Weather Service. Four of those fatalities have been in Florida.
"Nobody thinks it can happen to them," Sanchez said. "When you hear thunder, it's time to head indoors. If you hear thunder, lightning is right behind it."Sanchez said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be notified of the man's death and that the organization will decide whether to charge the construction company