He lit a cigar right before the lightning struck him. My father looked at me and said, "If we get struck with lightning, Mike, this will be where I want to be," she recalled. It happened.

Bevin Prince, a "One Tree Hill" alum, is talking out about her tragic husband's death in her first television interview since he was struck by lightning in July.

The actress, who spoke with ABC News on Friday morning, reflected on Friend’s passing and described the tragic accident that claimed his life.

"I'm so proud. Prince, 40, said that he was so proud to have shared his life with him.

The fitness instructor answered the question, "He was one the most funniest people I've ever seen in my life. He lit up every room he entered. Will Friend was a friend you will never forget."

According to the National Lightning Safety Council, Friend was struck while on a boat in North Carolina near his Wilmington residence. WECT-TV reported that he was declared dead by an ambulance.

Prince and Friend went boating together often. The former noted that they saw the storm brewing on the day they went. Prince stated that they weren't too worried, but that they were watching it closely.

She said that there were 60 or more boats out there. We look up, and can see the storm from a distance. But, we had been there so many times that there wasn't any urgency to get off of the water. It was happening. We were gauging it."

"I am so proud to have shared my life with him."
Bevin Prince, star of "One Tree Hill", gives her first interview on camera after Will Friend was struck by lightning. @eriellereshef shares her story. pic.twitter.com/vSSLZlcSPx

-- Good Morning America (@GMA) December 9, 2022

The Recess cofounder was in a different boat than her husband. Her father was also on a boat. Suddenly, Friend was struck with lightning.

Prince said that he lit a cigar right before the lightning struck him. He then looked at his father and said, "If we get struck with lightning, Mike, this will be where I want to be." It happened.

She continued, "It was instant," noting that there were a nurse and an ex-military person on the boat beside them. Prince stated that they "rushed over" and helped, noting that a police boat was nearby. They then quickly moved Prince over to the policeboat. According to what I have heard, they spent a lot time and care trying his revive. It was his time.

Prince spoke out about the accident after reflecting on it.

He was 33 years old. She recalled that it was July 3, and she believes the exact time the lightning struck was 3:13 pm. "So, knowing that all resources were available to save him, I believe that something greater than me was calling him.

Prince was supported by many of her friends and loved ones, including former co-stars on "One Tree Hill", Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush, and Lee Norris, after Friend's passing.

Prince said to Reshef, "It's amazing and it's unfortunate but fortunate that in these circumstances it takes a tragedy for to be able see how people rally around and support you and love you." "And I'm extremely fortunate in this circumstance."

She stated that she will honor her husband's memory through Recess, the local fitness company they co-founded.

Prince stated, "He believed in my message and me, and what Recess truly is, which was community, support and the ability to show up exactly how you are, breathe and move together."

Prince answered when Prince was asked how she is able to move on after the tragic loss of Friend. The latter is not an option for me.

She added, "Will lived such an inspiring life." "I feel a responsibility and obligation to carry on his legacy and find my own way in order to continue serving in his honor, and that's how my life will be."

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Title: One Tree Hill's Bevin Prince On Finding 'Divinity' in Husband's Death By Lightning in First TV Interview
Sourced From: toofab.com/2022/12/09/one-tree-hill-bevin-prince-husband-william-friend-death-first-tv-interview/
Published Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:42:53 +0000

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