The husband of “One Tree Hill” actress Bevin Prince, William Friend, has died at the age of 33 as a result of a lightning strike.

Friend was on a boat near Masonboro Island, North Carolinawhen he was struck during a thunderstorm. It was just a week before his 34th birthday.

According to local news station WECT-TV, paramedics tried to resuscitate Friend for 20 minutes, but he was pronounced dead in the ambulance.

According to the National Lightning Safety Council, this is the third lightning-related death in the United States this year.

His employer, digital marketing company Bisnow, confirmed the British businessman’s death and published an obituary on Instagram.

Next to a photo of him giving a talk, they wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we share extremely difficult news: Will Friend, who led Bisnow to new heights as CEO, has passed away at the age of 33.”

The cycling studio run by Prince and Friend also posted a photo of Friend, along with a message thanking him for his “knowledge, guidance and support” and praising his pursuit of the “American dream.”

Prince, 39, and Friend married in 2016 and celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary last month. They left New York in the summer of 2020 and moved to the port city of Wilmington to focus on their fitness business.

The actress, who played a major recurring role as Bevin Mirskey in “One Tree Hill” for the first four seasons of the series, has not yet commented publicly on her husband’s death.

“Passion burned in your soul”

Prince’s girlfriend, “You Again” actress Odette Annable, shared a tribute on Instagram along with photos of Prince, Friend and their dog Winston.

She wrote: “The unimaginable has happened and we must say goodbye to another friend @britwilliam. My best friend @bevinaprince, beloved husband.

“Will, it feels surreal writing this. Especially because it feels like you were only just getting started. The life and love you gave to my best friend made it seem okay that we were thousands of miles apart.

“When I sit in your beautiful home and look out to sea, I always think of what a gift you gave to Bevin. What a gift you gave to everyone who knew you to experience the passion that burned in your soul.”

The 37-year-old star added: “At just 33 years old, you made it and went down in a fire of fame like no other. Rest in peace, you charming, witty, beautiful Brit who loved America more than anything. I love you.”

A GoFundMe memorial page set up to raise funds in Friend’s honour raised over $35,000 (£29,000) within 12 hours.

The donated money will benefit Friend and Bevin’s company Recess and the Special Operators Transition Foundation, which supports veterans and their families.

Sky News has contacted Prince’s representatives for comment.