Police: Lightning hits motorcyclists, causing deadly accident

Photos show the victim's helmet damaged by the lightning strike.

A motorcyclists has reportedly been killed in Florida after he was struck by lightning while riding.

The 45-year-old victim as driving on Interstate 95 on Sunday when he was hit by a lightning bolt. An off-duty Virginia State Police officer witnessed the strike hit the rider's helmet before he crashed.

The Florida Highway Patrol posted a picture of the rider's shattered helmet that showed scorch marks from the lightning strike.

"This is what's left of a 45 year old man's helmet after he was struck by lightning, while riding his motorcycle southbound, on I-95 in Volusia County this afternoon," the FHP posted on Twitter. "Unfortunately he did not survive the crash."

The fatal accident appears to be a rare incident, as only a few dozen people are killed by lightning strikes in the US each year. Many more are injured, with a survival rate of around 90 percent.