PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A family and a community are grieving after a 16-year-old student from McArthur High School died after being found unresponsive in Pembroke Pines on Wednesday.
Pembroke Pines police said the teenage boy, identified Friday morning as Cameron Day, was riding his bike home and was possibly struck by lightning around 5 p.m.
A witness told Local 10 News that Cameron was sitting on his bike while under a tree when the incident occurred.
“One second I see him standing up just fine, the other I was fixing something here in the corner (and) I heard a really loud lightning,” said Zandra Laguno, who lives nearby. “I thought it hit right here next to me because it’s like the loudest lightning I’ve ever heard and it was, like, really close.”
Fire rescue crews were dispatched to the area after receiving reports of the student lying motionless in the grass near the 600 block of Southwest 67th Avenue.
6 p.m. report:
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Cameron lying underneath a tree, unresponsive, and with burn marks on his thighs and chest.
“Five minutes after that the rescue came, they stopped right here and I noticed that they were picking up that same kid that I just saw standing there,” said Laguna. “I assumed that the lightning struck him because he was fine a few seconds before.”
Authorities said fire rescue personnel quickly assessed the situation and discovered the student was in cardiac arrest. Despite their efforts to revive him, the victim was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he died.
McArthur High School Principal Mark Howard confirmed the teenager’s death on Thursday.
“Dear McArthur High School families and staff, this is Principal Mark Howard calling to inform you about tragic news impacting our school community,” Howard said in a statement Thursday. “An 11th-grade student passed away yesterday evening. Though I am unable to share additional details regarding the student’s untimely death, I offer my deepest condolences to the student’s family and loved ones, teachers, and classmates. He will be missed.”
Howard also encouraged families to talk with their children, recognizing that many students may feel the need to share memories or ask questions about the loss.
“It is natural and healthy for your child to want to discuss this,” he added.
A Local 10 News crew spotted indentations in the pavement Thursday evening near the intersection of Southwest 67th Avenue and Sixth Street, likely caused by a lightning strike.
Local 10 News spoke with some of Cameron’s classmates Friday who said that he was friendly, took care of others, and played the tuba in the band at McArthur High School.
“He was very nice, outgoing, talked to anyone and he played the instrument very well,” said Jada Santil, Cameron’s classmate. “That was a crazy thing to happen. I never thought it would happen to anyone I know.”
“Cameron was a good guy,” said Germaine, a McArthur High student. “He was very caretaking, knew how to dress and put on the right clothes.
Howard also said in response to the tragedy, grief counselors will be on campus for the remainder of the week to support students and staff members as they cope with the loss.
“To assist our school community in dealing with this loss, grief counselors will be on campus tomorrow and for as long as it is necessary,” Howard said.
Parents and guardians with concerns about their children’s emotional response are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher, school counselor, or any member of the administrative team. Howard also provided additional resources for immediate support, directing families to call 211 for assistance.
Students told Local 10 News that a moment of silence was held at McArthur High School in honor of Cameron on Friday morning. The school’s band also had a tribute performance for him.
Cameron’s parents declined to go on camera but sent a statement to Local 10 that said in part:
“Our family appreciates all of the condolences and genuine prayers. As you can believe we are overwhelmed. Cameron was the youngest of four and our only boy. His death and the way he died is unfathomable.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to help Cameron’s family with funeral expenses.