A 10-year-old Cub Scout is “still in shock” after he was literally knocked out of his socks by the deadly lightning strike at a New Jersey archery range on Wednesday.
Eleven boys and two girls from Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204 were learning to fire arrows at Black Knight Bowbenders when a bolt of lightning struck a tree near the shooting range at 7:13 p.m., according to the Jackson Police Department.
“I turn around and look, and there’s bodies on the ground. Adults, kids, burns, just other parents and kids screaming,” Tom Coopey, father of scout Ryan, told CBS.
Ryan was knocked out of his socks and shoes by the blast, the father said, adding his son’s footwear was torn to shreds by the force of the electric charge.
The amateur arrow-slinger suffered second-degree burns on his heels from the strike and is recovering from the brush with death.
“He’s still in shock. Anxiety is still up,” Coopey told the outlet.
Despite the scare, the dad relayed that Ryan will continue to pursue becoming an Eagle Scout.
Wednesday’s lightning strike was so powerful that one person was shot up into a tree, witnesses told CBS.
Cooley, along with 14 others were injured, and 61-year-old instructor Robert Montgomery was killed by the strike.
The Cub Scouts announced that all but one of the members taken to local hospitals were released as of Thursday, CBS reported.
“I thought it was a bomb. And that was it, I was on the ground,” Black Knight Bowbender instructor Mike Luster told CBS.
“It knocked me to the ground, and I’m like, what happened? Am I dead?”
Luster, a 25-year member of the Garden State archery institution, mourned the loss of his fellow instructor.
“I’m still shaken. I’m still very upset, crying. It should’ve been me. That was my position,” Luster said.
A benefit event for the first responders is currently being organized by Scout Troop 204, CBS reported.
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