Lightning Strike at Archery Club in New Jersey

A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday evening at an archery club in Jackson Township, New Jersey, where one person lost their life and 14 others sustained injuries due to a lightning strike.

At approximately 7:13 PM, the Jackson Police Department responded to an emergency call at the Black Knights Bow Benders Archery Range. Upon arrival, authorities found that a 61-year-old man named Robert Montgomery, who had received CPR at the scene, later succumbed to his injuries. The other victims were assessed for various injuries, including burns and general discomfort stemming from the lightning strike. Remarkably, one victim was briefly knocked unconscious but later regained awareness. It’s worth noting that among those injured, some were only a few years younger than the deceased.

The event was organized by the local Cub Scouts, as reported by NBC News, which cited police updates. Among the injured were three adult instructors, and four of the other injured individuals were children. Jerry Mindursky, the club’s president, stated that Montgomery was not a member of the archery club but was volunteering at the time.

Mindursky expressed his shock over the “sudden” event and mentioned that he was “praying” for those affected. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also shared his concern about the incident through a statement on his verified X account, indicating that at least one person had died and multiple injuries were reported. He urged everyone to pray for those involved in this unfortunate situation.

Montgomery, who had been serving as a volunteer instructor, was struck when lightning hit a nearby tree while the scouts were practicing archery. This incident follows another tragedy in New Jersey earlier in the week, where heavy rain and flash floods claimed two lives, prompting Murphy to declare a state of emergency.