Florida teacher needs help after surviving lightning strike killing friend in Peru

Nicole Perez, Anchor/Reporter

Published: 

Tags: Travel, Florida, Pinellas County, Peru, Cusco

Florida teacher survives lighting strike in Peru

A Florida teacher remained hospitalised on Friday in Peru after he survived a lightning strike that killed another man while hiking near Cusco.

James Fernandez, a science teacher at Palm Harbor Middle School in Pinellas County, is a father of two boys. One is a 5-month-old baby, and the other is 8 years old.

Fernandez went on a family trip with friends during the Thanksgiving break. He was mountain biking downhill with a guide when lightning struck and killed his friend.

Fernandez crashed and suffered several neck fractures and a spinal cord injury. Friends set up a GoFundMe after learning that his medical evacuation alone may cost more than $300,000.

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About The Author
Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez is the the primary co-anchor of Local 10 News at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. She first joined Local 10 in July 2016 as the morning traffic reporter.