1 Dead & 13 Injured From Lighting Strike In New Jersey

A lightning strike at an archery range in Jackson Township, New Jersey, has left one man dead and over a dozen others injured, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred just after 7 p.m. at the Black Knight Bow Benders outdoor archery range on Perrineville Road. A powerful bolt of lightning struck the area, affecting multiple individuals. Emergency responders performed CPR on one victim, a 61-year-old man, who was later identified as Robert Montgomery. Unfortunately, Montgomery succumbed to his injuries, police confirmed.

Fourteen other people were hurt in the strike, ranging in age from as young as 7 years old. Some suffered burns, while others reported pain, discomfort, and nausea. One person briefly lost consciousness but regained awareness shortly after. Many of the injured were members of the Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204, who had been at the range for an event when the lightning struck.

The victims were quickly transported to nearby hospitals. One individual with severe burns from the strike was taken to the Livingston Burn Center for further treatment. The conditions of the other injured were not immediately available.

At the time of the incident, a strong storm cell, accompanied by heavy rain and frequent lightning, was moving through the area, with a severe thunderstorm warning in effect. However, some witnesses reported no rain or thunder before the strike. Weather experts confirmed that lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared his condolences on social media, urging residents to “pray for everyone involved in this tragic incident.”

This tragedy follows a similar lightning strike incident just a week ago in North Jersey, where a 28-year-old man died after being struck while golfing. With Wednesday’s event, the U.S. has now seen 12 lightning-related fatalities in 2025.

1 Dead & 13 Injured From Lighting Strike In New Jersey  was originally published on rnbphilly.com