'Sneakers And Socks Blown Off His Feet': New Details In Fatal Jersey Shore Lightning Strike

JACKSON, NJ — A 61-year-old man who died after being struck by lightning at an archery range in Jackson Wednesday night has been identified as a Burlington County resident.

Robert Montgomery of Cinnaminson succumbed to his injuries despite efforts to save his life that began with CPR performed by people at the archery center before first responders arrived, Jackson Lt. Fred Meabe said.

Fourteen other people, including several children, were struck as well and suffered injuries from burns to complaints of pain in addition to not feeling well, Meabe said. Among those 14 was another person who had been unconscious but later regained consciousness, he said.

One person was taken to the Cooperman Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston with a severe burn caused by the strike. The others were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township for treatment, Meabe said.

The lightning strike happened shortly after 7 p.m. during an outing at the Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Range on Perrineville Road that Meabe said was organized and attended by members of Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204.

A father of one of the Cub Scouts who was at the archery range said the group was finishing up its outing when the lightning struck. It was not raining but they had heard rumbles in the distance, he said.

"I turned to walk away and BOOM," Tom Coopey said in a comment on the Jackson Police Department's Facebook page early Thursday morning. "Came outta nowhere."

"I turn around, multiple people on the ground, adults and kids, CPR started in 2 adults," he said.

His son was one of the children injured, he said.

"My son's sneakers and socks were blown off his feet," he said. "He ran for the truck which was smart of him." The boy ended up with second-degree burns on one foot, Coopey said.

"Just Thanking God my son didn't die or didn't get severely burned too bad. Still in shock over the whole thing. Adrenaline still kickin' in," Coopey wrote. "Huge THANK YOU to all that responded. Sending out HUGS and HIGH 5'S. PRAYERS to the family and friends of the deceased victim."

A woman who lives in the area replied to Coopey's comment, saying she was walking her dog at the time.

"That is exactly what happened, rumble in the distance & one lightning bolt, no rain at all," Paula Eugenio said.

Another commenter who lives in the area said she saw the same thing.

"I was outside at that time and that lightning really came out of nowhere," Celeste Bova said, and offered prayers for the victims and the first responders.

It was not clear Thursday morning whether Montgomery was part of the Cub Scout group or one of the range members.

The archery range is a members-only club on a 50-acre property that backs up to Six Flags Great Adventure. The club holds multiple and varied archery competitions throughout the year, according to its website.

The lightning strike happened about half an hour before the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area.

Montgomery is the second person to die from a lightning strike in New Jersey this summer. Simon Mariani, 28, of Franklin Lakes, who was struck by lightning on July 8 while golfing at Ballyowen Golf Course in Hamburg, Sussex County, died Monday from his injuries, authorities said.

About 20 people are killed each year in lightning strikes across the United States, according to the National Weather Service. So far there have been 12 this year, including Montgomery, according to the weather service.

Strikes with multiple victims are rare; the largest number of people struck in a single incident appears to be 17 at a wedding in Bangladesh in 2021, according to a BBC report.

New Jersey is in the top 10 states for most lightning deaths and injuries, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida is No. 1, with more than 2,000 lightning injuries in the last 50 years.

Lightning can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, and can strike from up to 30 miles away, according to the Lightning Safety Council.

The chances of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million, according to the CDC, and most of those struck survive. There are some people who have been struck by lightning multiple times. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a Virginia man who was a park ranger was struck by lightning seven times in his lifetime.

Emergency medical services from Jackson, Toms River, Howell, Plumsted, Freehold Township, and Millstone along with Hatzolah of Central Jersey responded, as well as paramedics from RW Barnabas Health System and Atlantic Health Systems.

Also responding were the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company and Jackson Fire District 2, he said.