A man died over the weekend after he was struck by lightning while he tried to warn beachgoers about an impending storm in Seaside Park, N.J., on Sunday, June 23, reports News 12 New Jersey, Asbury Park Press and Jersey Shore Online.
Patrick Dispoto, 59, was found unconscious on J Street Beach in Seaside Park around 7:40 p.m. on Sunday. He was then taken to the local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said, per News 12 New Jersey.
Dispoto’s girlfriend, Ruth Fussell, told News 12 New Jersey that Dispoto took her to safety in the car and then returned to the shore to warn a group of kids about the incoming storm. Lifeguards were no longer on duty at the time.
Once he was back near the shore, the storm rolled in with thunder and lightning. Shortly after, Dispoto was found unresponsive and CPR was attempted immediately.
He was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m. after he arrived at the hospital.
An autopsy conducted Tuesday confirmed that Dispoto died an accidental death caused by lightning, News 12 New Jersey reports. Sgt. Andrew Casole of the Seaside Park police also told Asbury Park Press that the cause of death was a lightning strike.
At any given moment “there are approximately 1,800 thunderstorms occurring over the Earth,” meaning roughly 100 lightning flashes each second and nearly 8 million per day, according to the National Weather Service. Since 1959, approximately 86 people have died each year across the U.S. due to lightning strikes.
According to the NWA, the average person has a one-in-600,000 chance of being struck by lightning during their lifetime; however, most fatal incidents occur when people are swimming, hiking, or playing golf.
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