Women struck by lightning on girls’ trip get matching tattoos: ‘We’re lucky to be here’
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WBBH) - A group of women who survived a lightning strike while visiting Florida on a girls’ trip have honored their shared experience with matching tattoos.
Sisters Danielle and Taylor Sturgill and their two friends say a beautiful Saturday afternoon on Marco Island quickly turned when a storm rolled in near the JW Marriott Beach Resort. The women took cover under a tiki hut, which was hit by lightning, knocking all four of them unconscious.
“The rain started coming down. There was no thunder. So, I was just trying to take shelter until the rain subsided. We got under the tiki, and that’s when it happened,” Danielle Sturgill said.
The women say they are lucky to be alive. Through the help of other resort guests, they were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
“I completely fell backwards. It knocked me completely out. I went unconscious, and then, when I woke up, I had a pounding in my head, like the shock went through my body. I couldn’t hear. I can hardly see. I could barely walk,” said Rebecca Johnson, one of the friends struck by lightning.
She now has a bruise behind her neck and on her arm.
Just a day after the incident, the women decided to get matching lightning bolt tattoos.
“We’re here getting lightning bolt tattoos, matching tattoos, to remember our girls’ trip and just thank God that we’re here to do it,” Danielle Sturgill said.
“We’re lucky to be here, and we’re so grateful to be here,” Taylor Sturgill said.
All four women are now recovering. They are headed home to Kentucky with a story they say they will never forget.
Police say the lightning didn’t hit the women directly. Instead, it hit the tiki hut and likely sent a powerful ground current through the sand that caused their injuries.
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