6 children taken to hospital after nearby lightning strike, officials say

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - Six children were hospitalized after a lightning strike hit near where they were playing outside, officials said.

Deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a lightning strike near a group of children.

The sheriff’s office said six children were playing football at Fairforest Middle School when lightning struck the field on Sunday.

The lightning did not hit any player directly, but it struck close enough to briefly knock one player unconscious, officials said.

All the children were taken to the hospital but did not appear to have serious injuries, officials said.