Georgia woman dies after being struck by lightning at Florida beach

June 27, 2016 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated June 27, 2016 at 7:34 a.m.

by Associated Press

In this Saturday, July 18, 2015, photo provided by Brook Taylor, a lightning storm is captured from the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, Calif. (Brook Taylor via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
In this Saturday, July 18, 2015, photo provided by Brook Taylor, a lightning storm is captured from the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, Calif. (Brook Taylor via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. - Authorities say a Georgia woman has died after being struck by lightning on a Florida beach.

Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Capt. Tammy Marris tells The Daytona Beach News-Journal that Janika Gardner died before midnight Friday.

Marris says the 33-year-old woman was struck by a bolt of lightning while standing in shallow waters at the beach in Daytona Beach Shores, along with 41-year-old Russell Scott of Georgia and 55-year-old Anna Nikorak of Daytona Beach. Marris said Saturday that Scott remained hospitalized.

After being released from the hospital, Nikorak told WFTV that when the bolt of lightning hit them, there was a loud explosion and flash that made her head feel like it was "going to explode."

Gardner's and Scott's hometowns were not released.

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