Man on personal watercraft dies after being struck by lightning, authorities say

Published: Aug. 31, 2026 at 4:43 PM PDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WTSP) – A Utah man died Saturday after he was struck by lightning in Florida.

According to a GoFundMe page, Steve Matheson was riding a personal watercraft off the coast of St. Petersburg when he was struck.

Authorities in Pinellas County said Matheson was initially taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

He was later pronounced dead.