Lightning strike kills one in New Jersey, leaves 13 injured
A lightning strike killed a 61-year-old man and injured at least 13 others at the Black Knight Bowbenders archery range in Jackson Township, New Jersey, on July 16, 2025.
Image credit: Ronomore/Pixabay
A 61-year-old man died in Jackson Township, New Jersey, after a lightning strike at the Black Knight Bowbenders outdoor archery range on July 16. The incident occurred just before 19:15 local time and injured at least 13 others.
More than a dozen children were at the range with their parents when the lightning struck. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a thunderstorm warning earlier in the day as flash floods continued to affect the area.
The lightning strike occurred as storms moved through the area, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning in Ocean County at one point. However, Gene Grodzki, a volunteer and instructor at the range, stated that no storm or rain was visible when the lightning hit.
“The earth exploded. Dirt went flying everywhere. And when I turned around, there were at least seven people down on the ground, flat,” said Grodzki.
Grodzki said he ran to get a defibrillator and then performed CPR on the 61-year-old man as first responders arrived. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jackson Township Police reported that 13 others were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment. The youngest victim was 7 years old.
At least one victim suffered burns, and another lost consciousness but later regained it. Others reported “not feeling well,” according to police.
According to preliminary data from the National Lightning Safety Council, the fatality marks at least the 12th lightning-related death of the year.
This is at least the third reported lightning strike involving a person in the Tri-State Area in the past month.
Simon John Mariani, of Franklin Lakes, was struck by lightning on July 8 while golfing in Hamburg. The 28-year-old died from his injuries on July 14, according to an obituary posted by Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home.
In June, a 15-year-old boy was struck by lightning in New York City’s Central Park. He reported being knocked unconscious and suffered second-degree burns to his torso and legs. He is expected to recover.
This comes after at least 2 people were reported dead in New Jersey due to severe flash floods between July 14 and 15. The flooding had triggered a state wide emergency as over 150 mm (6 inches) of rain fell over some areas within hours.
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Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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