PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Lightning struck and killed a lifeguard on a beach in Ocean County, New Jersey on Monday afternoon, with seven others hurt.
Berkeley Township Police Department said the strike happened at about 4:35 p.m. at the 21st Avenue Beach in South Seaside Park.
Three other lifeguards and four other people were hospitalized, according to police.
"This is a tragic and heartbreaking day for our town and the entire Jersey Shore," said Mayor Carmen Amato.
"This young person was out there every day protecting the lives of others. Our lifeguard teams, like so many on the shore, develop special connections with our community throughout the summer, which makes this loss even greater."
The township's beaches have been closed for swimming until Friday, but will be open for sunbathing and other non-water activity.
The city said crisis counselors would help beach staff employees.
This is the second death of a lifeguard on the Jersey Shore in recent weeks.
Norman Inferrera, a 16-year-old member of the Cape May Beach Patrol, died after his boat flipped over while he was on duty August 19.
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