A lightning strike at an outdoor archery range in Jackson Township, New Jersey, turned deadly Wednesday evening, killing one man and injuring more than a dozen others—many of them children.
The bolt struck just after 7 p.m. at the Black Night Bow Benders range, according to WNBC. Around 20 people affiliated with Jackson Scouts Troop 204, a Scouting America group, were present at the time, said club member Gene Grodski in a statement to The New York Times.
Among those injured was a 61-year-old man, the oldest in the group, who later died from his injuries. At least 13 others were treated for a range of injuries, including burns and symptoms like dizziness and nausea. Eight of the victims are believed to be minors.
Emergency responders performed CPR and used defibrillators on at least two people, with one person briefly losing consciousness.
EMS crews, firefighters, and paramedics from nearby townships responded swiftly to the scene. Children as young as seven years old were transported to local hospitals out of precaution, with Grodski noting that they appeared to be okay.
The lightning strike occurred during a severe thunderstorm warning that covered the area, which includes Six Flags Great Adventure.
As the storm moved through, it also ignited a house fire nearby, according to Asbury Park Press. Authorities have not confirmed whether that incident resulted in any additional injuries or fatalities.
The tragedy marks the 12th lightning-related death in the U.S. this year, per preliminary data from the National Lightning Safety Council. Nearly half of these fatalities have occurred during fishing, which remains one of the most dangerous activities during storms.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy responded to the tragedy on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Please pray for everyone involved in this tragic incident.”
Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina expressed condolences to the community and commended first responders for their “phenomenal job” under dire circumstances.