JACKSON – A 61-year-old man died after being struck by lightning which also injured several people during a scouting event at the Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Range.
Robert Montgomery of Cinnaminson, who was serving as an instructor at the range, was rushed to a hospital where he later died, authorities said.
Police said 14 people were injured by the strike, including eight children – with some victims as young as 7 years old. The incident occurred around 7:13 p.m. on July 16, during a visit from a Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204.
One victim was reportedly knocked unconscious but later regained consciousness, reports said. Others suffered injuries ranging from burns to general pain and feelings of illness.
Victims were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and CentraState Medical Center. One individual was transferred to the Livingston Burn Center for treatment of a severe burn.
Mayor Michael Reina told the news media shortly after the incident that lightning struck the ground near the Boy Scouts and that CPR was successfully administered to at least one victim, who survived.
Tom Coopey, a father of one of the Cub Scouts, said that the activity at the range was concluding when the lightning struck. It was not raining yet at the time but thunder was heard in the distance. Coopey said in a comment on the Jackson Township Police Department Facebook page that he had “turned to walk away and boom. It came out of nowhere.”
His son was one of the children injured during the incident. “I turn around, multiple people on the ground, adults and kids, CPR started in two adults. My son’s sneakers and socks were blown off his feet. He ran for the truck which was smart of him.”
Coopey said his son received second-degree burns on one foot from the lightning. “I am just thanking God my son didn’t die or didn’t get severely burned too bad.”
He said at the time that his son was “still in shock over the whole thing. Adrenaline still kicking in.” Coopey offered sincere appreciation to the first responders and “prayers to the family and friends of the deceased victim.”
Reina, in an interview with Channel 7 Eyewitness News, called the occurrence “a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and all those injured tonight. It’s difficult to understand what happened.”
Emergency services from Jackson, Toms River, Howell, Plumsted, Freehold, and Millstone townships responded, along with Hatzolah of Central Jersey and paramedics from RWJBarnabas Health and Atlantic Health System. The Cassville Volunteer Fire Company and Fire District No. 2 also assisted.
The incident occurred at the Black Knight Bowbenders archery club’s 50-acre outdoor range on Perrineville Road located near Six Flags Great Adventure.
Club spokesman Gene Grodski who has been a member of the group for many years witnessed what happened and attempted to assist Montgomery.
Grodski was quoted in that report stating “when it hit and I turned around, it was at least seven, maybe eight people on the ground flat. I did do chest compressions on him myself, but he was pretty much unresponsive, you know, right from the start.”
A representative of USA Archery, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of archery in the country, released a statement noting their support of the Black Knight Bowbenders. They held a moment of silence prior to a competition held the morning after the incident.
The organization’s statement expressed, “our hearts are with the families, friends and fellow archers impacted by this devastating event. We are relieved to hear that those who were injured are on the road to recovery, and our thoughts remain with them as they rebuild and regain strength.”
The National Weather Service noted that this was the 12
th
lightning fatality in the country so far this year and the second death in New Jersey. The fatality follows a 28-year-old golfer, Simon Mariani, of Franklin Lakes who perished after being struck by lightning on July 8 at Ballyowen Golf Course in Hamburg, Sussex County. On average, lightning kills about 20 people a year across the United States.
The Garden State is in the top 10 states for most lightning deaths and injuries, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number one state is Florida with more than 2,000 lightning injuries in the last half century.
A severe thunderstorm warning had been issued on the night of the Jackson incident.
According to the Lightning Safety Council, lightning can strike whether it is raining or if it is just cloudy overhead or the sun is just peeking out as a storm builds. It can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, and lightning strikes can occur from up to 30 miles away. Should thunder be heard, there is a risk of being outside and individuals should rapidly seek shelter.
