New York Daily News: Friday, August 13, 2021 – A 13-year-old Bronx boy struck by lightning on Orchard Beach has died, officials said Friday.
Carlos Ramos succumbed to his injuries at Jacobi Medical Center a few hours after the lightning strike. The teen and several other children were on the sand of the popular Bronx beach when the violent storm swept through the area Thursday afternoon.
FDNY officials said six patients were hospitalized after the 5:20 p.m. lightning strike. Besides Ramos, the injured included a 5-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, 15-year-old boy and two adult women.
“I was walking on the beach with my family and the lightning struck,” said Eric Sandoval, 34, whose 13-year-old daughter, Stacey, was injured.
“It hit my daughter and she went down,” said Sandoval. “I thought she had a heart attack. I went crazy. I was screaming, ‘Somebody help us! Somebody help us!’”
“My wife also got struck on her arm but she’s going to be all right,” Sandoval added.
All six victims were on the sand when a fast-moving storm rolled over the beach, city Parks Department spokeswoman Meghan Lalor said.
“Prior to the incident, lifeguards had cleared all swimmers from the water, and Parks staff made announcements over the public address system instructing patrons to clear the beach,” she said.
- Top Feature Photo: A New York City Park Enforcement Officer examines the location on the beach where several beach goers were struck by lightning while on Orchard Beach on Thursday Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News
