TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — New Jersey will fly its flags at half-staff on Friday to honor a teenage lifeguard who was fatally struck by lightning at an Ocean County beach on Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy said.
Berkeley Township Beach Patrol lifeguard Keith Pinto, 19, of Toms River, died in a lightning strike at White Sands Beach in South Seaside Park Monday afternoon, police said.
United States and New Jersey flags will be flown at half-staff at state buildings on Friday, Sept. 3 to honor Pinto, Murphy said in a press release Wednesday.
“I was devastated to learn of Keith’s passing in a tragic incident earlier this week,” the governor said in a statement. “He took on the selfless and great responsibility of protecting beachgoers at White Sands Beach.
"We mourn his loss and we will never forget his service to Berkeley Township and the many families that he kept safe," he added. "Our prayers are with Keith’s family, friends, and his fellow lifeguards."
Pinto, an Ocean County College student, graduated from Toms River High School in 2020, the New York Times reported.
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