Deadly Lightning Strike Kills One, Injures 14 at New Jersey Cub Scout Archery Event

Tragic Lightning Strike at Archery Range

• ⚡ A Cub Scout outing in Jackson Township, New Jersey, turned deadly when a lightning strike hit a tree at an archery range.
• 💔 The incident resulted in the death of one man and injuries to 14 people, including children.
• ⚠️ Survivors reported hearing distant thunder but experiencing no rain or immediate warning before the strike.

Witness Accounts and Impact

• 💥 One volunteer instructor described the strike as sounding like a bomb, knocking him to the ground and causing his shoes to be "totally shredded."
• 😔 Robert Montgomery, a 61-year-old volunteer instructor, was killed in the event, with another instructor expressing grief that it wasn't him.
• 🤕 A 10-year-old Cub Scout sustained second-degree burns on his foot, while another person was reportedly thrown into a tree.

Emergency Response and Safety Advice

• 👏 Police and paramedics arrived quickly, and troop leaders performed CPR to save lives.
• 🏕️ Scouting America released a statement expressing thoughts for those involved, noting that all but one member were released from the hospital.
• ⛈️ Meteorologists explained that lightning can strike miles away from a parent storm, emphasizing the safety rule: "When thunder roars, go indoors."
• ⏳ It is advised to wait 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before resuming outdoor activities.