HARDYSTON, N.J. (WPVI) — A man who was struck by lightning while golfing last week has died.
The video featured is from a previous report.
Simon John Mariani, 28, was struck July 8 during a competition at the Ballyowen Golf Club in Hardyston, New Jersey.
The 28-year-old victim was taken to the hospital, where he died Monday.
ALSO SEE: Lightning bolt strike narrowly misses startled delivery driver in New Jersey: WATCH
A storm was passing through the area when the tragedy occurred.
Brian Delia, a fellow golfer who witnessed the lightning strike, spoke to our sister station, WABC.
Delia said the victim was struck about 300 yards in front of him.
He said they were on the 14th hole and had seen lightning off in the distance for about half an hour before the victim was struck.
“I was thinking, ‘is this really going to transform into a tornado,'” Delia recounted. “Someone in our golf group, who also works at a different golf course, insisted we needed to leave immediately.”
Delia said that was when he started filming.
“As I began recording the scene, he stood right ahead of me, and just then, lightning struck. I stopped the video and we quickly made our way back to the clubhouse,” Delia explained.
Delia learned about the lightning strike incident after law enforcement officials arrived and informed them that someone had been hit at the 15th hole, located at the “completely opposite corner” of the clubhouse.
He said the group didn’t receive any warning about lightning from the course.
“Nobody did say anything to us, we didn’t hear any horns to get off the course at all, they started blowing the horns when we were back at the clubhouse and that was after the police were already out there,” Delia said.
Crystal Springs Resort released a statement after the incident saying that course personnel sounded warning horns to clear the course.
They said the golf course had been operating under normal conditions before the storm, which developed rapidly.
“The safety of our guests is one of our top priorities,” said Michelle Abate, spokesperson for Crystal Springs Resort. “Our primary concern right now is the well-being of the guest and his family.”
Mariani’s wake will be held on Thursday, followed by funeral services on Friday.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
