The 61-year-old man was dead after a group of people were hit by lightning in New Jersey’s archery area on Wednesday night, police said.
Thirteen other people, including the seven-year-old, were injured in a lightning strike at the Black Knight Bow Benders Archery Range in Jackson Township. Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew D. Kuntz said the injuries “from burns to non-specific complaints of feeling unwell.”
At least four victims were children and were taken to hospital with burns, said Jerry Mindursky of the Archery Club.
Three adult instructors were also taken to the hospital, he said, but the deceased said they were members of the club.
Mindurski said he had no idea about the condition of the other victims or the hospital they were taken to.
The first responder performed a CPR on the man after police were called around 7:13pm, and another person was unconscious but regained consciousness, Kunz said in a news release. It was not immediately clear whether the person who was given the CPR had died or someone else.
Mindurski said he “prays for the family of the murdered man and the injured man.”
“It’s all so sudden,” he said.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has been described for the situation, he said in X.
“Pray for everyone involved in this tragic incident,” he said.
Thunderstorms were expected in most of the eastern and central US areas on Wednesday, including New Jersey. Jackson Township is located about 30 miles east of the state’s capital, Trenton.
