In a shocking incident, a man was struck by lightning while painting lines on a soccer field in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. The man, identified as Eric Baumgartner, 39, was trying to finish his work before the onset of rain when the bolt of lightning hit him. The incident, which took place on a Wednesday afternoon, was captured on a resident's security camera.
Jay Heday, a local resident, described the lightning strike as sounding like a bomb. He saw Baumgartner fall in the middle of the field immediately after the strike. Officer R.J. McPartland, who was leaving his shift at a nearby high school, witnessed the lightning strike and rushed to the scene. He administered CPR to Baumgartner, noticing burn marks on his hands.
Baumgartner, a father of two and a town employee for 18 years, regained consciousness while being rushed to the hospital. According to his friends, Baumgartner, a Coast Guard veteran, had no memory of the lightning strike. He remembered working and then waking up in the ambulance, unaware of what had transpired.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that about 20 people are killed in lightning strikes across the country each year, while hundreds more are injured.
The Heroic Response
Officer R.J. McPartland's quick response to the situation was crucial in saving Baumgartner's life. His immediate administration of CPR helped Baumgartner regain consciousness and potentially saved him from more severe consequences.
The Unpredictability of Lightning Strikes
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability and danger of lightning strikes. Despite the relatively low number of fatalities each year, the potential for injury and death is significant, especially for those caught outdoors in a storm.
The Aftermath and Recovery
Baumgartner's recovery process will likely be a long one, given the severity of a lightning strike. His experience also raises questions about the long-term effects of such incidents on the victims' physical and mental health.
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