A Utah father of four died after lightning struck while he rode a personal watercraft near Florida’s Fort De Soto, underscoring how fast storms can turn fun into tragedy.
Story Snapshot
- Deputies responded around 6:30 p.m. to a lightning strike report near Fort De Soto, Florida.
- The victim was identified as Steve Matheson of Utah; he later died at a hospital.
- Reports counted the death among Florida’s lightning fatalities this year, highlighting the state’s risk.
- Hundreds of lightning flashes were detected in the area during the time window.
What Authorities Reported Happened
Pinellas County deputies said they responded near Fort De Soto at about 6:30 p.m. after a report that a jet skier had been struck by lightning. First responders took the victim to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Local outlets identified the man as Steve Matheson of Utah. Reporting placed him on a personal watercraft near the park when the storm hit. Officials did not release detailed incident records, but multiple outlets carried the sheriff’s office summary.
Local coverage from the Tampa Bay region identified Matheson by name and tied the incident to Fort De Soto Park. One report listed him as 41, while another outlet gave a different age. The reports agreed that he was visiting from Utah and that the strike occurred while he was riding on the water. Journalists cited the sheriff’s office and hospital outcome for the core timeline and cause.
Who He Was, According to Family and Fundraiser
A family fundraiser described Steve Matheson as a married father of four. The page said he died on a Saturday after a lightning strike while riding a jet ski off Florida’s coast. Family and friends shared memories and sought help with costs. These details give a picture of the man behind the headline, though they come from a fundraiser rather than official records, which is common in early coverage of sudden deaths.
Community tributes spread quickly online as news outlets shared the family’s loss. The picture that emerges is a visitor enjoying Florida’s waters who was caught in a fast-building storm. The family’s statement focused on grief and support needs. Media repeated those details while relying on law enforcement for the event summary and on the hospital for confirmation of death. That blend is typical in the first days after a fatal incident.
Lightning Conditions and Florida’s Risk Profile
Weather reporting stated that hundreds of lightning flashes occurred near Fort De Soto between 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., including many cloud-to-ground strikes. The closest detected strike in that window occurred at 6:21 p.m., which aligns with the emergency response timeline. These data show that dangerous lightning was present in the area when the call went out to deputies.
🚨 A selfless Utah dad died doing what he always did: helping people.
Steve Matheson, 47, was jet skiing off Fort De Soto, Florida, on Saturday when he and a friend spotted a broken down boat.
They stopped to help the stranded boaters as a storm rolled in.
Lightning struck… pic.twitter.com/OArPiW2YcD
— Gina Beana Fofina (@Ginasassyass) September 1, 2026
Florida leads the nation in lightning deaths over many decades. Studies and federal data show men are struck more often, and many deaths happen during outdoor recreation. That pattern fits this case: warm weather, open water, and a storm that moved in quickly. Researchers and public safety agencies urge people to get to a safe building or hard-topped vehicle at the first sound of thunder and to wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back outside.
Why It Matters for Everyday Safety
Tourists and locals alike crowd Florida’s beaches and bays in late summer. Storms can build fast, and lightning can strike miles from rain. Phones and marine radios can give warnings, but only if people check them and act early. This tragedy underscores a simple rule: when thunder roars, go indoors. Boaters and riders should plan exit routes, watch the sky, and set alerts. Small choices made minutes earlier can prevent a family’s worst day.
Sources:
nypost.com, fox13now.com, tampabay.com, dailymail.com, us.headtopics.com
