Baylee Holbrook and her dad were hunting on Tuesday when “lightning struck a tree, hitting them,” according to police

By 

Brian Brant

https://people.com/dad-daughter-struck-by-lightning-while-hunting-she-died-days-later-7976249

Brian Brant

Brian Brant is an Associate Editor, Human Interest, at PEOPLE. His work has previously appeared 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 and NewsBreak.

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Published on September 28, 2023 05:12PM EDT

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A 16-year-old girl has died after she was struck by lightning while on a hunting trip with her dad in Florida on Tuesday, authorities said. 

Baylee Holbrook died on Thursday morning, two days after a lightning bolt struck a tree and hit her and her dad, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said.

They said her father, Matthew Holbrook, “lost consciousness” and awoke to find Baylee “not breathing.”

“The father called 911 and began CPR as rescue personnel rushed to the scene,” authorities continued. “Deputies arrived first and took over life saving measures until rescue arrived and could transport the teen.”

The 16-year-old was taken to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital, where she was stabilized and moved to a trauma center.

Baylee had been in critical condition Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said.

 Dramatic Footage Captures Man Walking in Rain with Umbrella and Nearly Getting Struck by Lightning

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Before Baylee’s death, the Putnam County School District said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that students joined to pray for her on “See You at the Pole” day, an annual national event recognized as a time for student-led prayer.

“We stand with our community in support of Baylee,” the school district added. 

 Georgia Teen Dies a Week After He Was Struck by Lightning While on Family Vacation in Florida

Students at Palatka Jr-Sr High School were asked to wear green on Thursday “to show our continued support for her and her family,” according to a Facebook post by the school.

On Wednesday night, hundreds gathered at the high school gymnasium for a vigil to pray for Baylee, according to First Coast News.

“It’s a very rare occurrence, it truly is, it’s not something you see and hear a lot about,” family friend Willie McKinnon told the outlet. “You see car wrecks, you see all these other things, but this is a rare one.”

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The Trinity Baptist Church has announced that all athletic events have been canceled for Thursday night, adding, “We are in prayer for the Holbrook family and reflecting as well as sharing.”

The lightning attack came amid days of an increase in lightning strikes in the area, the sheriff’s office said Wednesday.

“We want to remind our community that the forecast is predicted several more days of increased rain, thunder and lightning,” the department said. “Storms can come quickly and lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from any rainfall.”