Community Mourns After Lightning Strike Kills 1, Injures 4 In Poughkeepsie
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Flowers and candles have gone up in a park in New York's Hudson Valley where five people were hit by lightning, one fatally.
Around 4 p.m. Friday, a large storm cell moved through the area and lightning struck in Mansion Square Park, bounded by Hamilton, Clinton, and Mansion streets in Poughkeepsie.
More: Forecast | Hot Weather Safety Tips | 1010 WINS | WCBS 880
The victims were sitting on a bench under the tree when the severe weather struck, according to the Poughkeepsie Mayor's office.
As CBS2's Ali Bauman reported, rain was fairly light in the park Friday afternoon. No one was expecting the sudden thunder and lightning.
At least 30 firefighters and paramedics responded to give CPR.
The most seriously injured people were taken to Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. The other two were taken to MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie.
One of the victims, a 50-year-old man, died Saturday at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
A spokesman says two other victims taken to the same hospital are 46 years old. One is out of intensive care and could be released from the hospital in a few days. The other remains in critical condition.
Two others with less severe injuries were taken to MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center.
The bolt hit two days after a man and a woman were killed by an apparent lightning strike in a western New York cemetery.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)