Pompano Beach man remains unconscious after being struck by lightning

Nick Williams was sitting in wheelchair under tree when incident occurred

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A Pompano Beach man remains unconscious days after being struck by lightning.

Nick Williams was outside in the Leasureville community on Sunday, sitting under a tree in his wheelchair when he was hit by the lightning strike.

A neighbor who heard the strike had her husband call 911 while she rushed to help Williams. According to a GoFundMe account created in Williams' name, his wheelchair was on fire when the woman arrived.

"They do believe it hit the tree he was sitting under," Williams' fiancee, Emily Netter, said. "We were told that the tree was smoldering when they responded and his chair was on fire."

Pompano Beach Fire Rescue found Williams burned and unconscious under the tree in his wheelchair. He was transported to Broward Health North in critical condition.

Photo shows where lightning struck the wheelchair of Nick Williams

The 28-year-old was later transferred to the Ryder Trauma Center Burn Unit in Miami due to his injuries.

Williams is still unconcscious and breathing with the use of a ventilator, but an update on GoFundMe says he is showing signs of improvement and brain activity while still in critical but stable condition.

CLICK HERE to donate to the GoFundMe account.


About the Authors:

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.