A mother and her two-year-old daughter have died after being struck by lightning during a freak thunderstorm in Florida. Kenya Glasgow, 31, and her daughter Kennedi were found with burn marks and smoke rising from their bodies in Margate, near Fort Lauderdale.
Husband's tribute
Kenya's husband, Kam Glasgow, said: "I just lost my best friend. My daughter just lost her best friend." The couple's other daughter, Kensli, has lost her mother and her identical twin.
Witness account
The incident unfolded shortly before 2.30pm when a bystander alerted emergency services. Speaking to local news station NBC6, the witness said: "I told one of the family members we need to slip her over to perform CPR, but she had two holes in her chest."
"The ambulance was coming down the street. I said, 'They're here, they're here,' and I directed him to the baby, and they took the baby right away and a second ambulance came for the mother."
Police statement
A police spokesman said: "Tragically, despite the life-saving efforts of first responders and medical personnel, both victims were pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospitals."
Kam described the loss as a "1 in 1.2 million" tragedy, adding: "S*** can't be real." He continued: "After I lost my father a few years ago, I learned a very valuable lesson and that's to never question God."
"My babies didn't suffer. I'm hurt we are hurt but if you gotten the chance to feel that beautiful light my wife and daughter brought into your life cherish it. It's there for a reason. It gives us all the blueprint to just love others and always remember it doesn't take much to be kind."
Storm and investigation
Margate police expressed their "deepest condolences to the victims' family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." Residents told NBC6 the fatal storm started like any other thunderstorm, until lightning struck so close to their homes it shook furniture. Lightning storms frequently hit Florida during the rainy season from June to September, but lightning strikes rarely claim lives, with almost 90% of victims surviving. An investigation into the deaths is ongoing.
