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    New Jersey lifeguard killed, seven other people injured in lightning strike at beach

    A lifeguard was killed and seven other people injured when they were struck by lightning at a New Jersey beach Monday, reports said.

    The deadly strike occurred on the beach in South Seaside Park between at the 21st street beach around 4:30 p.m, The Berkeley Township Police Department confirmed.

    A male lifeguard was struck by the lightning and couldn’t hear after being hit, according to New Jersey 101.5. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

    Three other lifeguards were injured in the strike, police said, along with four beachgoers.  

    Those injured include a 50-year-old woman, 51-year-old man and 19-year-old man, law-enforcement sources told NBC Philadelphia

    The remaining seven were all taken to the Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment for  headaches, dizziness and hearing issues, according to NBC and the radio station. 

    The Berkeley Police Department announced that the township’s ocean beaches would be closed for swimming on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to give the lifeguards and beachstaff some time off, during which crisis counselors have been made available.

    The deadly strike occurred on the beach in South Seaside Park.
    Michael Dalton

    Seaside Heights lifeguard Capt. Robert Connor wrote about the dead guard on Facebook in a posting that appeared to have been later taken down.

    ”So sad…Just horrible news…May the Berkely Twp. Lifeguard RIP..God Bless his Family and the Berkely Twp. Beach Patrol,” Connor said, according to New Jersey 101.5.   

    The station’s meteorologist suggested that the dead lifeguard was in his chair when he was struck.

    The Berkeley Township Police Department was unable to confirm the death.
    Michael Dalton

    “The lifeguard was the highest point in his chair which is why he got struck,” meteorologist Dan Zarro said.

    “The electricity travels through him, through the chair into the ground. That’s why a second lifeguard may have gotten struck. That’s why if anyone was nearby they also may have gotten zapped.”

    Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato called Monday “a tragic and heartbreaking day for our town and the entire Jersey Shore.”

    “This young person was out there everyday protecting the lives of others. Our lifeguard teams, like so many along the shore, develop special connections with our community throughout the summer, which makes this loss even greater,” he said in a statement.

    “On behalf of myself and the entire community, I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young man.”

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