NEW YORK — A lightning strike at Orchard Beach in the Bronx injured several children Thursday afternoon, including a 15-year-old boy hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
City EMS crews rushed the teenager and the other burn victims to Jacobi Medical Center, said police and Fire Department sources.
FDNY officials said six patients in total were hospitalized after the 5:20 p.m. lightning strike. Besides the critically hurt teen, they include a second 15-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy and two adult women..
One of the patients was Stefon Harris’ 5-year-old son, who is also named Stefon.
“I was able to speak with my 5-year-old over the phone. He seems like he’s going to be OK,” the dad said.
All six victims were sitting 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.
Harris said his son was part of a group of eight friends and family members who made the trip to the beach Thursday.
“They were out for an ordinary day at the beach. Once the rain started they got ready to leave, and out of nowhere, they were struck,” he said.
Alfredo Ferrer, who rushed to the hospital, was waiting to hear word about the condition of his nephew, 15-year-old Miguel Maldonado. The teen was one of six children accompanied by two adults to the beach, he said.
“I don’t know what condition they were in. They were getting ready to leave the beach and it came, the lightning,” Ferrer said. “They were all struck.”
Ferrer added, “One of them was hurt really bad. They have him in a separate room and they’re working on them.”
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