A newlywed's dream honeymoon ended in tragedy after he was fatally struck by lightning while standing in shallow water at a Florida beach.

Jake Rosencranz, 29, from Colorado, had travelled to New Smyrna Beach with his wife, Leah, to celebrate their recent marriage when the devastating incident occurred on June 20, 2025.

What should have been a joyful trip marking the beginning of their married life instead became a tragedy that left his family, friends and local community heartbroken.

Jake was standing in ankle-deep water at approximately 12:30pm when he was suddenly struck by lightning.

Emergency responders rushed to help him, immediately beginning CPR and other lifesaving measures.

He was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but sadly died the following day, June 21.

The tragic detail that makes his death even more shocking

Perhaps the most disturbing detail is that the sky reportedly appeared clear and blue when Jake was struck, with the storm still several miles away.

According to witnesses, there was little immediate indication that the beach was about to become dangerous.

One witness told WESH that the weather appeared calm and the storm was some distance from the shoreline.

Officials later explained that lifeguards had not yet started clearing the beach because lightning had not been detected in the immediate area.

However, lightning can strike well beyond the main area of a thunderstorm, sometimes reaching locations where the sky overhead appears relatively clear.

The phenomenon is sometimes described as a bolt from the blue, although the exact meteorological circumstances of Jake's death have not been independently established in the available reporting.

That distance between the storm and the beach is what made the tragedy especially unexpected.

What happened to Jake Rosencranz?

Jake and his wife had travelled from Colorado to Florida for their honeymoon.

On June 20, they were visiting New Smyrna Beach, a popular coastal destination in Volusia County.

At approximately 12:30pm, Jake was wading in ankle-deep water when lightning struck him.

Volusia County Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs confirmed that emergency personnel immediately began resuscitation efforts.

Despite the rapid response, Jake was unresponsive when he was transported from the scene.

He was admitted to hospital in critical condition.

Tragically, he died from his injuries on June 21, just one day after the incident.

Officials described the lightning strike as an extremely rare occurrence.

Weather appeared deceptively calm before the incident

The conditions surrounding Jake's death were particularly unusual.

According to witnesses, the sky over the beach appeared clear, while storm activity remained inland.

FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar reportedly recorded approximately 170 lightning strikes in the wider area as the storm moved closer to the coast.

Yet the danger was not immediately apparent to people enjoying the beach.

Officials said lifeguards had not started evacuating beachgoers because no lightning had been detected locally before the incident.

The tragedy highlights how dangerous thunderstorms can be even when their most dramatic weather conditions appear to be some distance away.

Why lightning can strike when the sky looks clear

Lightning does not always strike directly beneath the darkest part of a thunderstorm.

Some lightning bolts can extend horizontally away from the main storm cloud before reaching the ground.

This means a person can be struck even when the sky immediately overhead appears relatively clear.

The National Weather Service advises people to seek shelter whenever thunder is heard because it indicates that lightning is close enough to pose a potential danger.

Being in or near water can make a lightning incident particularly dangerous.

Beaches, open fields and golf courses are among the environments where people may be exposed without access to suitable shelter.

Experts generally recommend moving into a substantial enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle when thunderstorms approach.

Officials confirm heartbreaking death

Volusia County Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs confirmed that Jake had been struck while standing in shallow water.

Emergency responders performed CPR and other lifesaving measures before transporting him to hospital.

Despite those efforts, he died the following day.

Malphurs described the incident as extremely rare and noted that it was the first lightning-related death on Volusia County beaches in several years.

The incident also marked Florida's first reported lightning-related fatality of 2025.

Sheriff shares emotional tribute to newlywed

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his condolences following Jake's death.

In a Facebook message, he reflected on the tragedy of a young man losing his life while celebrating his marriage.

He said Jake should have been able to enjoy many more anniversaries with his wife.

The sheriff also acknowledged the efforts of lifeguards, emergency medical personnel and hospital staff who had tried to save him.

His message reflected the heartbreak felt by those involved in the rescue and the wider community.

Jake's death was especially devastating because he and Leah had been celebrating a milestone that should have marked the beginning of their future together.

How rare are fatal lightning strikes?

Lightning-related deaths are relatively uncommon in the United States, despite the country experiencing millions of lightning strikes every year.

According to figures cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the odds of an individual being struck by lightning in any given year are less than one in a million.

Approximately 90 percent of people struck by lightning survive.

However, survivors can experience serious injuries, including neurological damage, hearing problems and other long-term complications.

Jake's death was particularly unusual because it occurred in a location where the storm did not appear to be directly overhead.

Florida is especially prone to thunderstorms and lightning activity because of its climate and geographical conditions.

Two other people affected by lightning on the same day

Jake was not the only person affected by lightning in the New Smyrna Beach area on June 20.

According to local officials, two people playing golf at the Venetian Bay Golf Course were also indirectly affected by lightning that day.

Neither required hospital treatment.

The incidents occurred as storm activity moved through the region.

Although the circumstances differed, they highlighted the potential danger of lightning to people spending time outdoors.

How to stay safe during thunderstorms

The National Weather Service advises people to take lightning seriously, even when storms appear to be some distance away.

Important safety precautions include:


These precautions are particularly important in coastal areas, where storms can develop and move quickly.

A honeymoon that ended in heartbreak

Jake and Leah had travelled to Florida to celebrate their marriage, expecting to create memories that would last a lifetime.

Instead, an ordinary afternoon at the beach ended in an unimaginable loss.

Despite the efforts of lifeguards, paramedics and hospital staff, Jake died at just 29 years old.

His death served as a devastating reminder that lightning can pose a danger even when severe weather does not appear to be directly overhead.

Local officials expressed their sympathy to Leah and Jake's loved ones following the tragedy.

Source: VT, published June 25, 2025, citing Volusia County Beach Safety, WESH, FOX 35 and statements from Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.