Oxford Township lifeguard survives close encounter with lightning strike

An Oxford Township lifeguard is recovering after a close encounter with a lightning strike Thursday afternoon. Officials say that around 3:30 p.m., what is believed to be a microburst tore through

News 12 Staff

Jul 15, 2016, 6:27 AM

Updated 2,849 days ago

Share:

Oxford Township lifeguard survives close encounter with lightning strike
An Oxford Township lifeguard is recovering after a close encounter with a lightning strike Thursday afternoon.
Officials say that around 3:30 p.m., what is believed to be a microburst tore through the area of Oxford Furnace Lake.
About 60 people were out on the lake and beach area, including at least 40 Boy Scouts, according to the mayor. Everyone had to quickly take shelter inside cement bathrooms after the storm suddenly appeared.
According to officials, 18-year-old lifeguard Justin Lewis was attempting to secure a metal door when he was indirectly hit by lightning. 
"I was screaming for [my brother] out the door, so I had my hands on the sides of the door and I was about to run out and before I could, I remember seeing white and falling back," Lewis says.
The teen was taken to the hospital to be checked out, and was cleared to go home.
"My mom is on vacation so she's freaking out," Lewis says. "My dad said 'You're OK but mom will freak if you don't go [to the hospital]' so I had to go."
The storm knocked over about three dozen trees. The Oxford Township Department of Public Works is in the area cleaning up the debris and trying to reconnect powerlines that were knocked down by the storm.
Officials hope to have the Oxford Furnace Lake area reopened by Friday. Lewis says he will go back to work Friday to help with the cleanup.


More from News 12
0:41
Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

2:17
Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

1:42
3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

1:31
Fire chief: 20 people displaced in Elizabeth fire that damaged multiple businesses, apartments

Fire chief: 20 people displaced in Elizabeth fire that damaged multiple businesses, apartments

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

WATCH LIVE: Bridge over section of I-95 is being demolished due to damage from truck fire

WATCH LIVE: Bridge over section of I-95 is being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

2:10
Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

0:38
Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

0:36
Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

2:17
Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

0:57
Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

0:22
Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire