A 10-year-old Cub Scout remains in disbelief after being literally knocked out of his socks by a dangerous lightning strike at a New Jersey archery range on Wednesday.
As reported by the Jackson Police Department, a group of eleven boys and two girls from Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204 were practicing archery at Black Knight Bowbenders when lightning struck a nearby tree at 7:13 p.m.
“I turned around and saw bodies on the ground,” Tom Coopey, the father of scout Ryan, recounted to CBS. “There were adults, kids, burns, and just parents and kids screaming.”
Ryan was knocked out of his socks and shoes by the blast, the father said, adding his don’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.
