An archery instructor was killed and 13 others were injured when lightning struck an outdoor archery range in New Jersey where a scout troop was learning how to shoot Wednesday night, according to the venue and local officials.
The fateful bolt came down on Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Club in Jackson Township just after 7 p.m. — immediately inflicting serious injuries to over a dozen people ranging in ages from 7 to 61, according to NJ.com.
A 61-year-old man died from his injuries and 13 others were being treated for a variety of wounds at local hospitals, the outlet reported. Some of the injuries include burns.
The fatal victim was a volunteer instructor at the non-profit archery range and was teaching the troop of scouts how to shoot arrows at the time of the fatal incident, Black Knight Bowbenders told The Post.
Archers received the ghastly shock when a lightning bolt hit a tree near where a troop of youngsters and volunteers were firing off arrows, the venue said.
As many as four children were injured by the fiery eruption, according to the archery club.
One person lost consciousness after the one-in-a-million strike but later woke up and was treated by first responders, according to the Ocean County Sheriff’s office.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented on the rare, tragic incident.
“I have been briefed on a lightning strike tonight at an outdoor archery range in Jackson. At this time, we have at least one fatality and multiple injuries,” Murphy wrote on X.
“Please pray for everyone involved in this tragic incident,” the governor concluded.
Flash flood and thunderstorm warnings were blared out across the state earlier Wednesday night, including by Murphy, who warned New Jerseyans to “stay inside and exercise caution.”
The tragedy marks the second lightning-caused death in New Jersey this week.
Golfer Simon John Mariani, 28, was struck by lightning on the 15th hole of the Ballyowen Golf Course in Hardyston on July 8, and died from his injuries on Monday.
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