The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Dad dies after being struck by lightning in US
Tributes paid to former North footballer after beach tragedy
A YOUNG north father has died after being struck by lightning on an American beach.
Garry Perks, who originally hails from Tain, died in hospital earlier this week as a result of his injuries after tragedy struck last Sunday as he was visiting Clearwater Beach, near Tampa, Florida, with his girlfriend and friends.
Mr Perks, 32, went into cardiac arrest following the direct hit from the bolt of lightning and, despite frantic CPR attempts at the scene, he died on Wednesday. He was a talented footballer serving spells with Highland League outfit Brora Rangers and his local side Tain Thistle, before moving to America 10 years ago.
Lieutenant Michael Malek of Clearwater police said: “It’s so sad. This moved in so fast the lifeguards tried to get people off the beach but didn’t have enough time.”
A north man has died after being hit by lightning on a Florida beach.
Garry Perks, 32, originally from Tain, died on Wednesday at Morton Plant Hospital in the American town of Clearwater.
Mr Perks moved to the United States around 10 years ago. He lived in New Port Richey, 27 miles away from Clearwater.
The talented footballer is known to have had spells with Highland League outfit Brora Rangers and his local side Tain Thistle.
It is understood that Mr Perks worked at a home warehouse store near his home.
Mr Perks had been enjoying a Sunday afternoon outing to Clearwater beach, in the western part of Florida, near Tampa, with a group of friends, including his girlfriend.
A storm blew up very suddenly just before 1pm.
Lightning struck behind a beach restaurant, near a volleyball court.
It hit Mr Perks directly, causing him to go into cardiac arrest.
Bystanders, including an intensive care nurse who happened to be nearby, rushed to help him, administering CPR in rotation until the emergency services arrived to take Mr Perks to hospital.
His girlfriend was also affected, along with two of their friends and another four people.
They are all described now as being in good condition.
Lieutenant Michael Malek of Clearwater police said the incident was utterly tragic.
He said: “It’s so sad how something like that could happen.
“Summertime storms like this do happen, but they’re not common.
“This one moved in so fast the lifeguards tried to get people off the beach but didn’t have enough time.”
Members of Mr Perks family, including his mother Corinne Nicolson, made their way to the States.
A man who answered the door at Mr Perks’ mother’s home in Tain said the family did not wish to comment.
In a tribute, a representative of the North of Scotland Football Annual said via its Twitter page yesterday:
“It’s so sad how something like that could happen”
“Thoughts with the family and close friends of former Brora Rangers and Tain Thistle player Garry Perks, who sadly passed away this past week. Gone way too soon and shall be missed and fondly remembered by many.”