Tree struck by lightning falls on SE CLT apartment, kills man: PD

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) – A tree that was struck by lightning fell on a southeast Charlotte apartment complex overnight killing a man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said on Monday.

Officers responded to calls regarding the incident around 1:50 a.m. at an apartment complex near 2734 Commonwealth Ave. by East Independence Blvd. A 60-year-old man was found suffering from injuries and was pronounced dead on scene.

An initial investigation stated that lightning struck a tree causing it to fall and strike an apartment complex trapping multiple people inside.

Charlotte Fire says a second person was found inside a three-floor apartment. They were treated at the scene and taken to a local hospital. The 60-year-old man was found in the same apartment.

The building was unstable and required an “extensive shoring process” to support during the rescue because of the danger of the building collapsing.

CFD says CMPD took over the investigation and the Mecklenburg County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death.

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