June 10, 2021
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
A lightning strike at the Burlington Country Club fatally injured a man in Westhampton Township on June 9, 2021.
A man was killed by a lightning strike Wednesday afternoon at a country club in Burlington County, according to multiple reports.
The incident happened at the Burlington Country Club in Westhampton, where the victim was struck by lightning as he attempted to take shelter, according to CBS3. He reportedly had been playing golf before the storm moved into the area around 3:45 p.m.
On Thursday, authorities identified the victim as 70-year-old Michael Ward. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other injuries were reported at the country club.
Ward's death is the first fatal lightning strike in the United States in 2021 and the first in New Jersey since 2012, according to NJ.com.
Hot, humid conditions have produced storms and rain across the region on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the region saw seven inches of rain and several water rescues were reported in Thorndale, Coatesville, West Caln Township and Sadsburyville in Chester County
