(Scypre.com) – During a recent thunderstorm in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, an unfortunate incident occurred involving a town employee. Eric Baumgartner, aged 39, was performing his duties of painting lines on a soccer field at Iselin Middle School when he was unexpectedly struck by lightning.
The incident took place around 12:21 p.m., while Baumgartner was accompanied by two fellow employees, as confirmed by Mayor John McCormac during a news conference. They were employing metal machinery for their task when the thunderstorm approached the area, leading to the unforeseen lightning strike that caused burns on Baumgartner’s foot and other parts of his body.
Remarkably, a doorbell camera near the scene managed to capture the precise moment of the lightning strike. Luckily, a nearby police officer, identified as Robert “RJ” McPartland, promptly responded to the incident and commenced CPR on Baumgartner.
In subsequent statements to the press, Officer McPartland expressed his relief at being in close proximity to provide immediate assistance. Mayor McCormac commended the officer for his heroic actions, as Baumgartner was unconscious and without a pulse before McPartland arrived.
Baumgartner was swiftly transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for further medical attention. In a positive turn of events, the mayor visited Baumgartner at the hospital and shared that he was awake, alert, and in good spirits, accompanied by his wife. Reflecting on the initial moments after the incident, Mayor McCormac expressed his gratitude, as the situation seemed dire when he received the initial call.
However, he now finds solace in Baumgartner’s improved condition, recounting how Baumgartner greeted him with a familiar, “Hey, Mayor Mac,” upon his hospital visit. This outcome represents a significant improvement compared to the initial uncertainty expressed in the initial call for prayers.