DULUTH, Minn. (KMSP) -
A 9-year-old Wisconsin boy died at a Duluth hospital after lightning struck a sailboat at a remote Lake Superior beach.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says Luke Voigt, of Iron River, Wis., was flown to a Duluth hospital after the lightning strike on Saturday, but was pronounced dead after efforts to revive him failed. A total of eight people were injured during a family gathering at about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Rescuers rushed to the scene by boat and ATV.
Officials say the group had taken refuge on a beach on Minnesota Point after spotting a rapidly-approaching thunderstorm. The lightning struck before they could get off of the boat, but one of the passengers was able to call 911.
The boy was found face-down in the water and was given CPR before he was flown to the hospital, where he later died.
Six others were sent to the hospital as well, and four remain hospitalized with severe, non life-threatening injuries.
