Community rallies for teen struck by lightning 

The loved ones of a 16-year-old Palatka resident who’s fighting for her life gathered at her school to lift her up in their thoughts and prayers.

Hundreds of people packed the Palatka Junior-Senior High School gym Wednesday evening to pray for Baylee Holbrook, who on Tuesday was struck by lightning. Boxes of tissues lined bleachers as people clung to each other, crying and listening as those close to Holbrook spoke about their hopes for her recovery. 

Holbrook, a junior at Palatka High, and her father had been hunting near Bostwick Tuesday evening when lightning struck a tree and hit them, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. The tree fell onto the pair and they were knocked unconscious while in a hunting ground blind near Millican Road, authorities reported. 

When Holbrook’s father, Matthew Holbrook, awoke he saw his daughter unconscious and not breathing, according to a sheriff’s office incident report. The agency said he attempted CPR before emergency medical services personnel arrived at the scene. 

Willie B. McKinnon III, a spokesman for the Holbrook family and the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church of Palatka, said Matthew Holbrook is fine physically.

Baylee Holbrook was stabilized at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital but later transported to UF Health in Gainesville, the sheriff’s office stated on Facebook. The Palatka High student was in critical condition Wednesday evening, McKinnon said.

“Pray for the doctors that are working on her,” McKinnon said. 

He and Baylee’s family are praying for a miracle, he added, and the community has really come together to support her and her family. 

“This community, when one of their own is hurt, they come out in full force to support them, to be there for them. And I have to say I’m proud of my hometown,” McKinnon said. 

Baylee is a Palatka High varsity cheerleader, enjoys the outdoors and recently began pursuing photography, McKinnon said. Baylee loves boating, he said, and is an avid hunter who likes stalking deer, alligators and turkeys. 

The pastor said Baylee, who has attended Trinity Baptist from birth and is a vital part of the church’s youth group, had been out hunting a big buck when she and her father were injured. 

“She’s probably the catalyst of why that youth group has grown as much as it has because she invites everybody and anybody,” he said while asking people to pray for Baylee’s parents and sister. “She loves to tell people about Jesus.”

McKinnon led a prayer circle Wednesday morning at the Palatka High, where he said at least 350 people gathered around the flagpole to pray for Baylee. 

He also led the prayer event at the school later that evening.

“She has made an impact in this community because she lives out that faith every day because she cares about people,” he said. “She truly loves and cares for people.”

Palatka High Principal Cathy Oyster stayed at the hospital, where no fewer than 100 of Baylee’s family members and friends were camped out, she said. 

Oyster said Baylee, who has a 4.47 GPA and is dual enrolled, genuinely cares about everyone and supports their passions. 

“She is the total package. She embodies every quality you would want in every inspiring young individual,” Oyster stated. “She would lead you to the church doors, then take you to a photo shoot and finish it up with a gator hunt.”

Putnam County School District Superintendent Rick Surrency said he had never seen such an outpouring of support as he did at Wednesday morning’s prayer circle. Surrency, who also attended the evening vigil at Palatka High, said the community is heartbroken about this tragic turn of events. 

“I’m always just touched to see how our community comes together when one of our own, you know, has something happen like that,” he said. “It just shows you how close-knit our entire community is. I just feel like everybody’s coming together. … We’re all hoping and praying for a very positive outcome.”