Lightning kills North Carolina boy

CAROVA, N.C., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A 5-year-old boy was struck and killed by lightning Sunday afternoon on a beach in North Carolina.

The boy was with his family when he was struck about 4:10 p.m. The family put the boy in their car and met emergency crews halfway, where he was transported to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital and died a short time later.

The boy's family, on vacation at Carova Beach on the Outer Banks, when the storm rolled in. They were reportedly taking shelter when lightning struck the boy.

The boy's would be the 21st lightning-related death in the United States this year. July has been particularly deadly, with 12 deaths.