Lightning hits El Mirage school drop-off

Four adults required hospital treatment after a lightning strike occurred near El Mirage Elementary School this Friday morning. El Mirage Police confirmed that all four individuals were conscious when transported to a nearby medical facility. The incident took place at the school bus drop-off zone.

First responders received calls just after 8:30 a.m. regarding the strike. El Mirage Fire Captain Joseph Rivera stated that none of the injured parties were directly hit by the bolt. He noted that one woman was holding an umbrella at the time and subsequently reported pain in both arms.

Witnesses across the street described the intensity of the event. Carrie, a librarian at the El Mirage Library, was performing morning tasks when the strike occurred. She described the thunder as so loud it made her jump and felt as though the building shook. Following the initial noise, at least a dozen car alarms activated nearby.

The strike coincided with the first round of fast-moving storms that swept through the Phoenix area. Hail and heavy rain were reported in Peoria, Sun City, and Buckeye around 8:00 a.m. Residents noted that the rain followed immediately after the electrical discharge.

The storm system passed through the region Friday morning. No further injuries were reported beyond the four adults taken to the hospital.