One dead, several injured after lightning strikes New York City beach

A 13-year-old boy died Thursday and six others were injured after getting struck by lighting at a Bronx beach, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to The Hill. 

Police said that early in the evening Thursday, authorities received a 911 call about “an unconscious male” at Orchard Beach, located on the western end of Long Island Sound. 

“Upon arrival, officers encountered 7 people (41-year-old male, 33-year-old female, 14-year-old male, 13-year-old male, 13-year-old female, 12-year-old female and 5-year-old male) who were struck by lightning on the beach,” the department added in a statement shared with The Hill. 

Police said that first responders transported all seven individuals to local hospitals, adding that the 13-year-old boy was later pronounced dead at Jacobi Medical Center. 

“The rest of the injured were listed as being in stable condition,” the NYPD said, noting that the “investigation remains ongoing.” 

The teen’s father, Jeffrey Ramos, told The New York Times on Friday that he was “grieving for my son’s loss.” 

“It’s just crazy,” Ramos said of his son’s death, noting it came less than a week after the boy and his twin sister celebrated their 13th birthdays.

The Times reported that the boy lived with his mother in New Jersey and was visiting his father in the Bronx when the lightning strike occurred. 

Other friends and family expressed shock to the Times over the teen’s death, describing him as a “fun-loving teenager” who played basketball and wanted to become a stand-up comedian when he was older. 

Another 13-year-old girl told local ABC affiliate WABC that she remembered passing out and eventually waking up in an ambulance. She was injured while attempting to run off the beach with her family.

“A huge lightning just went in front of me, hit in front of me and I passed out,” she said. “Then I was shaking and blood started coming out of my mouth.”

The girl added that the lightning felt like “a little tingle, it really hurt a lot.” 

“I feel lucky because Jesus revived me,” she added.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation operates Orchard Beach, and agency spokeswoman Meghan Lalor told ABC News that prior to the lightning strike Thursday, lifeguards and staff instructed all swimmers to get out of the water and clear the beach.