ISLAMORADA, Fla. — A Florida Keys charter captain was airlifted to a hospital in Miami-Dade County after being struck by lightning Thursday morning, Local 10 News has learned.

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The strike happened at around 6 a.m. off mile marker 81 in Islamorada as the group, headed by Capt. Richard Stanczyk of Stanz Fishing, encountered a rain shower while heading out to fish in the bay with clients, one of whom called for help afterward.

Authorities said the boat became inoperable after the strike and a tow boat brought it to Bud N’ Mary’s Marina, at 79851 Overseas Highway, where medics airlifted Stanczyk, 44, north to Miami-Dade.

His condition wasn’t immediately known as of late Thursday morning.

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