Tragedy struck in Seaside Park over the weekend when a 59-year-old man lost his life after being struck by lightning while attempting to warn a group of children about an approaching thunderstorm. The man, identified as Patrick Dispoto, heroically ensured the safety of his girlfriend, Ruth Fussel, before heading back to J Street Beach on Sunday evening.
According to reports, Dispoto ventured onto the beach to caution the children about the impending storm as no lifeguards were present at the time. Sadly, he was later discovered unconscious on the beach around 7:38 p.m. CPR was administered on-site before he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9 p.m.
An autopsy conducted on Tuesday confirmed that Dispoto's death was accidental and caused by the lightning strike. The incident occurred while the beach was closed, and unfortunately, no witnesses observed the fatal event.
Seaside Park Police revealed that the borough had plans to upgrade its lightning detection system to provide advanced warnings to beach visitors about approaching storms. The initiative, in place for about a year, aims to alert individuals before the storm arrives, allowing them to take necessary precautions.
Jim Rankin, the Seaside Park lifeguard captain, emphasized the importance of recognizing early signs of a thunderstorm and urged people to vacate the beach promptly if they notice indicators such as changing winds, temperature fluctuations, dark clouds, or distant thunder rumbles. Rankin highlighted the dangers of remaining on the beach during a thunderstorm, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure safety.
Statistics from the National Weather Service reveal that an average of 86 individuals lose their lives annually in the United States due to lightning strikes since 1959. The tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and deadly nature of lightning, underscoring the importance of vigilance and preparedness during severe weather conditions.
