Woman struck by lightning

A Myakka woman is in recovery after being struck by lightning at Falkner Farms Monday afternoon.

The woman, who is in her mid-20s, lives at Falkner Farms and was struck by lighting while in a field. The Myakka City Fire Department received the call for dispatch at 1:52 p.m.

The victim was flown by Bayflite helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, where she was treated for burns and trauma, Mykka City Fire Chief Dan Cacchiotti said.

Cacchiotti said the fire department has responded to numerous lightning strikes and their resulting brush fires over the last two weeks, but it has not responded to any lightning-related human injuries for about 10 years.

Cacchiotti encouraged individuals to take cover as soon as they see lightning because even if a storm is several miles away, you could be in danger.

Contact Pam McTeer at [email protected].