A Helena man died Friday afternoon after being struck by lightning while fishing on Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

Few details of the incident, including the man's name, were available on Saturday.

Broadwater County Sheriff Brenda Ludwig said onlookers watched as the man caught a fish about 3:20 p.m. Friday, "and the next thing they knew, he was struck" by lightning.

The man was alone in his boat near the east shore of Canyon Ferry, across from the Silos.

"It's just a tragedy," said Ludwig, who wanted to be sure all of the relatives had been notified before she released the man's name. "The weather can come up on you so quickly. You really have to be careful."

A storm involving rain and hail had moved through the Townsend area only minutes before the incident took place.

Various Web sites offer safety suggestions for approaching lightning storms. They note that an average of 80 fatalities and 300 injuries can be attributed to lightning every year. Most incidents take place when people are outdoors during the afternoons and evenings.

Lightning strikes aren't necessarily accompanied by heavy rain, and can occur up to 10 miles away from any rainfall.

If people are outside, they should seek shelter. That includes getting off of a lake or any body of water when weather becomes threatening. Large cumulous clouds signify the beginning of a thunderstorm, with lightning becoming more possible as the clouds become darker and more anvil-shaped.

Graphite fishing rods are excellent conductors of electricity, so they shouldn't be used if lightning is suspected to be in an area.

Don't go under any tall, isolated object including a tent or tree. It's safer, if caught outside, to stand under a group of trees that's shorter than others in the area, and seek low ground like a ditch or gully. Don't lie flat on the ground, but stay low.

Once inside a structure, stay away from the windows and turn off all electrical appliances, including televisions and radios. Also, don't take a bath or shower, and don't do the dishes until the storm passes due to the possibility of electrocution. In addition, don't talk on the telephone because electricity can pass though it.