Calls to 911 released Monday in the aftermath of last week’s lightning deaths in Margate revealed a neighborhood in panic as a mother and child were struck down and bolts of electricity flashed through the sky.
Read more Area around Orlando City Hall shut down over ‘bomb threat’
“Oh my God, a lady and her baby just got struck by lightning,” one caller said, with sobs, screams and cries of “no, no, no” audible in the background, according to recordings released by the Margate Police Department. “They’re down … The family is crying.”
Kenya Glasgow, 31, and her 2-year-old daughter Kennedi were getting out of their car in front of a family member’s home on Aug. 23, when the lightning hit. They were found lying on the sidewalk about 2:30 p.m. when Margate Police and Margate Fire Rescue arrived.
Callers reported fears that more people would be struck by a storm that was later revealed to have produced 120 lightning strikes within a 10-mile radius of Margate between 2:15 and 2:45 p.m., according to The AccuLightning Network.
“I can’t go outside,” one caller said. “The lightning is too bad.”
Another caller said, “I can’t go out there, the lightning.”
911 operators urged callers to make sure they were safe too.
“I’m going to now tell you what to do,” one operator said. “Just stay with me while I’m communicating with the unit. Make sure you take shelter, sir. I don’t want you to get struck either, OK? I don’t want you to get struck. You heard me? OK, make sure you don’t get struck, sir.”
Read more Central Florida woman dead after alligator sets off chain-reaction crash on I-95
Margate Police said they immediately began rendering aid, including CPR, upon arrival. Kenya Glasgow was taken by Margate Fire Rescue to Broward Health North in Deerfield Beach. Kennedi was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
“Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders and medical personnel, both victims were pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospitals,” Margate police said.
Callers expressed the shock of seeing a horrific event take place in front of their homes. Asked if she thought the two had been struck by lightning, one caller responded, “I believe so. I’m not sure. I just heard lightning. I just heard a big loud thing and Lord Jesus, please God. Son of God, please God. Jesus, please. Protect us, stay with me. Give me strength.”
Read more Donalds dismisses Jolly’s call for new Hope Florida investigation as ‘politics’