Lightning
A 20-year-old Hatton man who was studying meteorology has died from injuries suffered when he was struck by lightning.

Hunter Blankenship was a 2014 Hatton High School graduate and a sophomore at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

"Hunter was a really, really good kid," Hatton Principal Brent Gillespie said. "It's so sad to lose a young man."

Lawrence County Coroner Greg Randolph said Blankenship was pronounced dead about 11:50 p.m. Thursday. Randolph said Blankenship was struck by lightning in his yard about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. He said CPR was administered at the scene, and EMS transported Blankenship to the Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton. Blankenship was then flown to the UAB Medical Center about 9:30 p.m., where he died two days later.

Gillespie said Blankenship "always wanted to be a weatherman. I remember him in the seventh grade telling me he wanted to be a weatherman. It is so ironic how he died. I am praying for his family and friends."

Family relative Tim Smith said he was told Blankenship heard thunder near his home early Tuesday evening.

"He went outside and was struck," Smith said. "Hunter was a good family kid. He loved school, playing video games and his family. It's a tragedy. We're not supposed to be burying 20-year-olds."

Former Hatton High teacher and coach John Smith remembered Blankenship as a quiet student. Smith left the school four years ago.

"I taught him health and P.E.," John Smith said. "He was never in trouble. The kind of student you want to teach."

According to the National Weather Service website, Blankenship is the 17th person to die from a lightning strike in the United States in 2016. He is the second in the state this year. Jacob York, 19, died from a lightning strike at Redstone Arsenal on July 14.