Lightning strike kills 2 teens in NJ, another 2 injured

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MONTVALE, NJ - Lee Weisbrod and Steven Fagan were killed as lightning struck when they were playing soccer in a field with their friends. The two teens died after they were taken to Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood, N.J, while the other two teenagers are recovering at the hospital.

Captain Bob Gebhardt of the Montvale Police Department said that the youth saw lightning strike nearby and started to move away from the field. Two of them ran off, while the two victims walked. The incident took place at about 6 p.m. at Memorial School on Saturday night. A youth who ran off told the police that when he reached safety, he saw Mr. Weisbrod and Mr. Fagan struck by lightning. Both suffered severe burns and succumbed to them at 7 p m at the hospital.

The two teens who ran off were only identified by the police as a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old. They were taken to the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J and were released from the hospital Saturday night.

Jordan Zubalsky, 19 was identified as one of the injured. His father said that the boys started playing after the rain stopped. They had apparently invited other boys for the game, but they did not turn up. Lee Weisbrod had completed his first year at the University of Miami and was hoping to work in the music industry, while Fagan had dreams of becoming a journalist, according to The New York Times.

Lightning strikes are unfortunately common occurrences. The first thing a person needs to do if caught in the strike is to get away from open areas or even wooded areas. If people are in the house then they need to get away from metallic enclosures and turn off any electric devices, that can attract lightning. In case any person is hit by lightning, call emergency services and try to administer first aid.