A lightning strike at Dominion Beach Park, located on Lake Murray in Lexington County, South Carolina, injured 20 people—12 of them children—after the electrical current traveled through a swim area cable during a thunderstorm on June 24, 2025, at around 5:00 p.m. local time (21:00 UTC).
The Lexington County Fire Service reported that lightning energized the metal buoy and cable system in the designated swim zone. Many of the victims had been holding or were in close proximity to the system when the bolt struck, causing the electrical charge to flow through the water and metal components.
Twelve individuals were transported to three area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, while two others were treated and released on scene. The remaining six were medically evaluated and later cleared. All affected individuals are expected to make full recoveries.
The lightning bolt struck shortly after a thunderstorm warning was issued—only five minutes prior—as 80 km/h (50 mph) winds and storm clouds rapidly developed. Witnesses reported that conditions appeared sunny just moments before the incident.
The park was immediately closed to allow for safety inspections of the electrical and ground systems. Officials have confirmed that Dominion Beach Park will reopen on June 25, following clearance by safety inspectors.
SOUTH CAROLINA: SC EMA reports 18 people stuck by lightning at Lake Murray, South Carolina at 4:30p ET today. Six adults, twelve children. pic.twitter.com/QWmVQO14JC
— James Spann (@spann) June 24, 2025
Authorities are urging the public to take thunderstorm warnings seriously and avoid open water or exposed metallic systems during lightning activity, even if skies appear deceptively clear.
