20-year-old kayaker dies after lightning strike on Blackwater River, FWC says

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said a kayaker was struck by lightning and died in Santa Rosa County.

FWC said their officers were notified of a missing kayaker around 12:25 p.m. May 31.

20-year-old Michael Aiden Vargas, of Crestview, was kayaking on the Blackwater River when he was struck by lightning and fell from his vessel, according to officials. Vargas’ father and Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation employees witnessed the incident and immediately began searching for him.

Multiple agencies joined the search, including the FWC Dive Team, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, and Daphne Search and Rescue. FWC said Vargas was later recovered from the water and pronounced dead.

FWC said the case remains an active investigation, and no additional information is currently available.