CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) – On Wednesday the parents of two teens struck by lightning on Sand Key shared their sons’ survival story.
The parents of 15-year-old Cameron Poimboeuf and 18-year-old Jansen Tabor came down from their sons’ hospital rooms at Tampa General Hospital to speak with the media.
The boys were struck by lightning Tuesday afternoon. They were at the beach looking for one of their girlfriends and had no idea Mother Nature was about to unleash her fury until it was too late.
The older victim “was able to tell police that the two were walking on the beach when the storm rolled in to the area. As the rain began to fall, they made a dash for shelter,” police said. “The next thing that Tabor knew, he woke up on the sand after the lightning strike.”
The parents are full of gratitude the boys, who took a direct hit from the lightning, survived.
Cameron is in serious condition in Tampa General Hospital’s intensive care unit. J
ansen is in good condition and is expected to be released Thursday.
“No one survives that … the kind of hit the boys took,” said Claudette Taboir, Jansen’s mother.
She flew in from their hometown of Charlotte, NC.
There were sighs of relief Wednesday as the boys’ parents explained how their sons couldn’t outrun the fast-moving storms.
“We’re blessed by the grace of God that Cameron is still here,” said Kevin Poimboeuf, Cameron’s father.
Kevin Poimboeuf talked about how Cameron even squeezed his hand and gave him a thumbs up.
“It’s amazing, so he’s making some really good progress,” the dad said. “He’s a fighter, OK? He’s got a strong will.”
Cameron’s stepfather told News Channel 8 it’s all in God’s hands. “Asking God for prayers that he would just guide his steps and put his healing hand on him and pull him through this,” Harry Peyton said.
