Friends and fellow lifeguards cry at the foot of a lifeguard stand in Berkeley Township, N.J., Tuesday Aug. 31, 2021, a day after 19-year-old lifeguard Keith Pinto was killed by lightning there. Pinto, of Toms River, was among eight people who were hit by lightning Monday afternoon in Berkeley Township. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
Lightning struck a New Jersey beach, which killed a young lifeguard and injured several others. On Monday, the Berkeley Township Police Department reported 19-year-old Keith Pinto succumbed to his injuries after lightning struck a beach in Ocean County.
Officials reported seven others were either struck or hurt during the incident and taken to a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
“It was kind of bizarre because all of a sudden the lightning bolt came straight down,” one witness explained. “…About eight police cars came down the street. They surrounded the boy and were doing the best they could.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) stated his heart was with the family and friends of Pinto as he was praying for the full recovery of those injured.
I’ve spoken to Mayor Carmen Amato and offered the full support and assistance of our administration during this difficult time.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 30, 2021
Source: One America News Network
