A lifeguard was killed while seven others were injured after lightning struck a beach in Ocean County, New Jersey.
The lightning struck Island Beach State Park, in the South Seaside Park section of Berkeley Township, when a cluster of storms swept through the area Monday afternoon.
Vince Ruffolo said he was relaxing with friends in the sand, not far from the aluminum lifeguard stand near 21st Avenue, when he felt a jolt and was left off his feet.
“Imagine an explosion and an explosion happens all of a sudden, without warning you,” Ruffolo said. “The next thing you know is you’re on the floor and then you have a smell like burning your hair. So it was very, very dramatic for us.”
A lifeguard, who has not yet been identified, died due to lightning. A second lifeguard, as well as six swimmers, including a 51-year-old man, a 50-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, were injured, according to law enforcement sources. The seven survivors were taken to hospital for treatment after suffering headaches, dizziness and hearing problems.
“Our hearts are with the family and friends of the young lifeguard who died in today’s lightning horror on the beach in Berkeley Township, and we pray that the wounded will be fully recovered,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, in a statement. I spoke with Mayor Carmen Amato and offered all the support and assistance of our administration at this difficult time. “
Monday’s incident is the ninth confirmed lightning mortality in the United States this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. The last lightning death was on August 24 in Wisconsin.
The last lightning death in New Jersey occurred on June 9 at a golf course in Burlington County.
Data from the National Lightning Safety Council.