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Who was Baylee Holbrook? Florida teen dies after being struck by lightning while hunting with her father

Baylee Holbrook, 16, died of her injuries two days after the lightning struck her

PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA: A hunting trip in Putnam County turned into tragedy when Baylee Holbrook, 16, was struck by a bolt of lightning and died of her injuries.

Holbrook, who was a student at Palatka High School, Florida, was out hunting with her father Matthew when she was struck by lightning on Tuesday, September 26, reported CBS News.

Baylee Holbrook was an avid hunter

Baylee's social media presence reflects her passion for hunting. 

The 16-year-old was also a photographer and golfer. She shared snaps from her successful turkey, boar, alligator, and deer hunts she seemed to enjoy along with her father and friends.

"Nothing on this earth compares to chasing these birds,” read one of Baylee's last social media posts in which she is seen posing with the turkeys she hunted in March.

What happened during Baylee Holbrook's last hunt?

On Tuesday afternoon, Baylee was on a hunting expedition with her father when lightning struck a nearby tree, instantly knocking both father and daughter unconscious.

When Matthew regained consciousness, he found his daughter not breathing. Until paramedics arrived at the scene, he administered CPR on her.

The paramedics shifted Baylee to a trauma center where she died of her injuries two days after the incident.

Friends pay tribute to Baylee Holbrook

Mourning the loss of the teenager, the Trinity Baptist Church stated, "At 9:32 this morning, Baylee Holbrook entered into the arms of Jesus. Matt, Casey, and Kylee are grateful for the outpouring of love and support."

Willie McKinnon, a close family friend and pastor, remembered Baylee as someone who was enthusiastic to explore the woods hunting critters with her father.

Speaking to First Coast News, McKinnon said, "She loves to deer hunt, she loves to hog hunt, she loves to turkey hunt and she loves to gator hunt. Hunting, fishing, she loves boating, she loves being in the woods."

Baylee, who was a varsity cheerleader, died hours after her classmates and community members rallied inside the high school on Wednesday, September 27 for a prayer vigil for her recovery.

Friends who gathered to share stories about Baylee described her as a Bible-loving teen who always offered support and encouragement to those around her. 

Baylee's friend Kaitlyn Sanders told News4JAX that she "always wanted to make sure that we went to bed with a Bible verse if we were having a bad day or she would tell me, 'Hey, it’s going to be OK. It’s OK to not be OK, but God’s got you.'"