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Lightning Strike At Beltzville State Park May Have Claimed A Life

BELTZVILLE STATE PARK  – The lightning strike at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County Saturday night may have claimed a life. Park officials confirm tha...
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BELTZVILLE STATE PARK  - The lightning strike at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County Saturday night may have claimed a life.

Park officials confirm that three people were taken to the hospital after lightning struck the lake while people were swimming and the Lehigh County Coroner says one of those people, a 38-year-old man from New Jersey, died at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

It was a hot and humid afternoon at Beltzville State Park, making it the perfect day to spend soaking in the cool lake water.

“We just decided to take a break to get up here to get away from the heat down in the Lansdale area so,” said Scott Harrar from Lansdale.

But this fun in the sun comes after a lightning strike sent three people to the hospital the night before.

Beltzville Park officials say lightning struck the water around 7:30 Saturday night, injuring those in the lake.

For swimmers here, it's a sobering thought.

“My kids are enjoying themselves. I couldn't imagine someone getting hurt. It's scary,” said Teresa Bush from Philadelphia.

“I heard that there were people coming here, getting hurt, about the lightning,” said Mariana Ramirez from Queens.

“Probably nobody expected that thunderstorm to happen but the end of day things happen, very unpredictable, especially with the weather, very unpredictable,” said Kevin Viloscis.

Now the Lehigh County Coroner says one of those people sent to the hospital, a 38-year-old man from New Jersey, has died.

Officials say it is park policy to give warning to visitors when bad weather is looming.

Before the lightning strike, rangers made an announcement, asking swimmers to get out of the lake because storms were moving in.

“We always do make an attempt to make announcements over the public announcements system here at the park,” said Devin Buzard, the park manager at Beltzville. “Maybe mobile announcement via our vehicles or at the beach first aid building, we have a large PA system.”

Park officials say it is their job to warn you when bad weather is approaching however it's your responsibility to get yourself to safety.

“It's pretty serious. I golf, and I know when there's storms in the area, and they blow the horn, we get off the golf course and seek shelter as soon as possible, something you don't want to fool with because you can't predict where it's going to hit,” said Harrar.

The Lehigh County Coroner says what caused the 38-year-old man to die will be determined following an autopsy.

That is scheduled for Monday, August 15th.

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