Man ID'd after being killed in Black Knight Bow Benders lightning strike; 14 others hurt

JACKSON TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- One person is dead and more than a dozen others were injured in a lightning strike at an outdoor archery range in Jackson Township, New Jersey, on Wednesday.

Emergency crews were dispatched around 7 p.m. to Black Knight Bow Benders, which is located on the 600 block of Perrineville Road in Ocean County.

According to Jackson Township police, 61-year-old Robert Montgomery, of Cinnaminson, died from his injuries. He was identified as a member of the range, Black Knight Bow Benders' publicity director Gene Grodzki said.

Fourteen others suffered injuries ranging from burns to non-specific complaints of not feeling well, police said.

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Police say the archery event at the location was organized and attended by members of Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204. The injured victims are between the ages of 7 to 61 years old.

Tom Coopey says his son is Ryan, was one of the 14 injured.

"We heard thunder in the distance. Lightning struck a tree. We had no time to react. Seen a bunch of people hit the ground. 911 was called. CPR was being performed on two," he recalled.

Ryan suffered second-degree burns on his foot, but was released from the hospital Wednesday night.

"He's still in shock. Anxiety is still up. I feel bad for him," Coopey said.

Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina told our sister station WABC-TV that he is deeply saddened by the loss of life. He credited the actions of emergency responders.

According to Reina, eight of the victims are juveniles with the Boy Scout group.

Grodzki says he tried to help those who were hit. He even felt the electricity himself.

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"It hit this tree. You can see where the roots are exposed underneath the tree. The dirt flew up, and one of the club members, a big guy like a 240-pound guy, got thrown up against the tree," he recalled.

On Thursday, Grodzki said at least one club member was still hospitalized and two others have been released.

Some of Bob Montgomery's family members were too upset to do an interview, but they said he had a lifelong affinity for archery. He was also a father of three.

This is the 12th lightning death of the year in the United States and the second in New Jersey. There have been 18 lightning deaths in New Jersey since 2006.