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1 killed, 13 injured by lightning strike at archery range in New Jersey

One person was killed and 13 others – including 8 children – were injured after being struck by lightning at an archery club in Jackson Township, New Jersey on Wednesday.

About half of the people injured at the archery club were juveniles that belonged to the Jackson Scouts Troop 204, a Scouting America-affiliated organization (per CNN). Thirteen other people, including a 7-year-old, were injured in the lightning strike at the Black Knight Bowbenders archery range in Jackson Township.

Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina told New York ABC station WABC that the strike hit the ground near a group at the archery range, a well-known community site that regularly hosts events. The Jackson Township Police Department said it received a call shortly after 7 p.m. reporting multiple people struck by lightning, resulting in a male being administered CPR, while multiple other victims were being triaged.

Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew D. Kunz saidin a statement that “A 61-year-old male did succumb to his injuries”. Kunz added that those injured suffered burns as well as “non-specific complaints of not feeling well”. Police Public Safety Director Joseph Candido said that all those injured transported to area hospitals, adding that none of the injuries were life threatening.

USA Archery said Thursday it was “heartbroken” by the death of Robert Montgomery after the lightning strike at the Black Knight Bowbenders archery club, adding the group stands in solidarity with the “entire archery community during this difficult time. We are relieved to hear that those who were injured are on the road to recovery, and our thoughts are with them as they rebuild and regain strength. A moment of silence will be held for the victims at a youth archery competition in Albuquerque Thursday.”

Editorial credit: Izzy Bouchard / Shutterstock.com

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