What started as a regular evening of practice quickly turned into a nightmare for a group of Scouts and volunteers in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
A lightning strike during a storm on Wednesday night left one man dead and sent more than a dozen others to the hospital—many of them children.
Lightning Strikes During Scout Activity
Just after 7 p.m., a bolt of lightning hit the Black Knight Bowbenders outdoor archery range, where around 20 people from Jackson Scouts Troop 204—a group connected with Scouting America—were practicing.
The strike was sudden and devastating.
Gene Grodski, a member of the archery club, told The New York Times that the group was caught entirely off guard.
One Victim Dies, Others Suffer Multiple Injuries
Among the group was a 61-year-old man who tragically lost his life due to the lightning strike.
He was the oldest of the victims and has not yet been publicly identified.
Thirteen others were injured. The injuries ranged from burns to feelings of dizziness and disorientation.
One person reportedly lost consciousness, and two individuals required emergency defibrillation.
First Responders Rush to the Scene
Emergency teams from neighboring townships, including EMS, firefighters, and paramedics, responded quickly to the scene.
The youngest victims were only seven years old.
Grodski said the children appeared to be doing OK overall, but were transported to the hospital as a precaution.
All of the victims were taken to a local medical center for evaluation and treatment.
A House Fire Adds to the Chaos
The storm didn’t just cause devastation at the archery range.
A nearby house also caught fire during the same storm, according to Asbury Park Press. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether that incident resulted in any additional injuries or fatalities.
Officials Respond as Investigation Begins
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared his condolences and concern, saying he had been briefed on the tragic event.
He posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), asking people to “please pray for everyone involved.”
Authorities are still piecing together exactly what happened, and Jackson Township police have not yet released further details.
Twelfth Lightning Death in the U.S. This Year
According to early data from the National Lightning Safety Council, this incident marks the 12th lightning-related death in the U.S. so far this year.
Nearly half of those fatalities involved fishing, which is often considered one of the riskiest outdoor activities during storms.
This heartbreaking incident serves as another stark reminder of how quickly the weather can turn dangerous—and how important it is to take shelter when lightning is in the area.