A Woodbridge Township employee in New Jersey was struck by lightning while working on a soccer field at Iselin Middle School. The incident occurred as a thunderstorm rolled into the area around midday on Wednesday. Eric Baumgartner, 39, was painting lines on the field alongside two colleagues when he was hit by the lightning bolt. According to Mayor John McCormac, they were operating metal machinery for the line painting when the strike occurred.
Baumgartner suffered burns on his foot and other areas of his body. A nearby doorbell camera captured the dramatic moment of the lightning strike. Fortunately, Police Officer Robert "RJ" McPartland was in close proximity and immediately administered CPR to the unconscious Baumgartner, who had lost his pulse. Mayor McCormac praised Officer McPartland's swift action, crediting him with saving Baumgartner's life.
Baumgartner was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Mayor McCormac later visited him at the hospital and reported that Baumgartner was awake, alert, and in good spirits, even exchanging greetings with the mayor. The mayor expressed relief at Baumgartner's positive condition, recalling the initial gravity of the situation when he was first informed of the incident.
