Overview
- Steve Matheson, a 41‑ to 47‑year‑old father of four from Saratoga Springs, Utah, was struck by lightning and later pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital following the incident on Saturday, Aug. 29.
- His childhood friend David Cole witnessed a bolt hit the water near Matheson, saw him fall limp after several seconds, and attempted rescue before other boaters and deputies transported the victim to shore.
- Family and friends have launched a GoFundMe to help Matheson’s wife and four children and to cover costs to return his body to Utah, and the campaign has drawn substantial donations.
- Federal agencies including NOAA and the National Weather Service note that boating, fishing and other water activities raise exposure to lightning and say summer storms can form too quickly for people on open water to seek safe shelter.
- Matheson’s death is being reported as part of a recent cluster of lightning fatalities in Florida, which is renewing local safety warnings and could lead to increased public outreach and advisories for recreational boaters.