PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Pinellas County teacher is in critical condition after being struck by lightning while vacationing with family and friends in Peru.
What You Need To Know
- A Pinellas County teacher is in critical condition after being struck by lightning while vacationing with family and friends in Peru
- James Fernandez was biking down a mountain last Wednesday with his close friend, Yuri, when both were hit by a lightning strike
- Yuri was killed instantly. Fernandez survived but suffered catastrophic injuries
James Fernandez was biking down a mountain last Wednesday with his close friend, Yuri, when both were hit by a lightning strike. Yuri was killed instantly. Fernandez survived but suffered catastrophic injuries.
Fernandez had traveled to Peru with his wife, Alexis, their 5-month-old child and close friends for a holiday trip.
Rick Alvarez, Fernandez’s father-in-law, says the family is reeling.
“He is fighting for his life,” Alvarez said. “He has a severe spinal injury. They had to do emergency surgery to stabilize the C3–C4 area. At the moment, he’s just fighting.”
Alvarez says Fernandez didn’t take a direct hit, but was close enough to the strike to be severely injured. The electrical arc from the lightning may have thrown him from his bike.
Alexis is at his bedside in Peru.
“She’ll call me and start crying — it’s just tough,” Alvarez said. “I can truly say their marriage was Camelot. Two people that met and love each other.”
He describes Fernandez as an adventurous outdoorsman and a devoted father.
Yuri, the friend who died, was like family.
“He’s the type of guy you want to hug,” Alvarez said. “A big guy, a super guy. It’s a tragic loss.”
For now, the family can only hope and pray. Doctors in Peru have not yet cleared Fernandez for medical transport back to Florida.
Jeff Van Sant
Source link