What to Know
- Michael Ward was at the Burlington Country Club in Westampton Township Wednesday afternoon when he was struck by lightning. The Florence, New Jersey, man later died from his injuries at the, police said.
- It was the first deadly lightning strike in New Jersey since September 7, 2012, and the 14th since 2006, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
- Since 2006, there have been 11 golf-related lightning deaths in the U.S.
A 70-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning strike at a Burlington County, New Jersey, golf course.
The golfer -- later identified by police as Florence's Michael Ward -- was at the Burlington Country Club off Burrs Road in Westampton Township Wednesday afternoon when he was struck by lightning.
Westhampton Township police arrived to find the 70-year-old golfer unconscious and not breathing near the 7th Hole around 3:45 p.m., police said Thursday. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
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"It was evident from the scene that the male had been struck by lightning," police said in a news release.
It was the first deadly lightning strike in New Jersey since September 7, 2012, and the 14th since 2006, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
Since 2006, there have been 11 golf-related lightning deaths in the U.S.
"Based on the past 10 years, the U.S. averages 5 fatalities through June 9th. This year set a record for the latest FIRST fatality of the year," John Jenenius, a Lightning Safety Specialist with the National Lightning Safety Council, wrote. "Previously, the record was May 23rd, set 10 years ago in 2011."
The deadly lightning strike occurred as powerful scattered storms passed through the region.
Officials also confirmed with NBC10 that a person was struck by lightning in Angola, Delaware, on Wednesday. They have not yet revealed that person’s condition.
