Crime & Safety
Police Officer Struck by Lightning in Oceanport
He was closing a metal gate at the time.
An Oceanport police officer was reportedly struck by lightning when he was closing a metal gate at Monmouth Park in Oceanport at approximately 6:24 p.m. on Friday.
The officer, Capt. Daniel W. Barcus, was transported via police cruiser, according to multiple sources, to the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
The officer was struck on Port Au Peck Avenue and was taken to the hospital for treatment, and was expected to be kept overnight for observation.
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Oceanport Police Chief Harold Sutton said his officer was "stunned" when the bolt of lightning hit.
Barcus joined the police force in 1991.
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According to police communications, two people in Plainsboro were struck by lightning at 5 p.m. on Friday. Both individuals were reported to be conscious; one has an altered mental state, according to police communications.
Police communications also reported a home being struck by lightning in Freehold Township around 5:40 p.m. on Friday, which the fire department was investigating.
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Monmouth County, Middlesex County, southeastern Mercer County, southeastern Somerset County, and northeastern Ocean County until 8 p.m. on Friday.
At 4:59 p.m., the National Weather Service Doppler Radar picked up "a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing quarter size hail and damaging winds to 60 mph."
The storms were moving east at 25 mph along a line from East Brunswick to Hightstown to Mercerville-Hamilton Square, according to the National Weather Service.
In Hamilton Square, Jersey Shore Patch Weekend Editor Don Wilno was standing on the front porch of the Saul Memorial Home after attending a viewing early on Friday evening when lightning from the line of storms struck the house directly across the street from the funeral home.
"It scared us when it hit, it was so close, and so loud," Wilno said.
"We actually saw the lightning hit the house, then travel down the side of the house and hit the ground," said Wilno, who was standing with Ken Fisher. Both are members of the Mercerville Fire Company in Hamilton Township.
The National Weather Service advised all people to move indoors and away from windows because the approaching storms were considered dangerous, and will produce heavy winds, frequent cloud to ground lighting, and large hail.
Cloud to ground lightning can be fatal, and the storm had already inflicted harm on two people in Middlesex County.
"Lightning is one of natures greatest killers," the National Weather Service said. "Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."
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