Volunteer Firefighter Helps Man Struck By Lightning At Jersey Shore

BERKELEY Twp., N.J., (CBS) – A volunteer firefighter came to the aid of a man struck by lightning at the Jersey Shore.

Live Mega Doppler 3 picked up the bolt as it hit Island Beach State Park in Berkeley Township, Ocean County Tuesday afternoon.

Volunteer firefighter Tim Steger and his wife Gretchen were on the beach when it happened.

They say the victim was fishing, and his pole seemed to act as a lightning rod.

"The strike came and it was loudest sound I've ever heard in my life," said Gretchen.  "I don't know if it was his girlfriend or his wife, she was in quite a panic, yelling and screaming."

The volunteer firefighter says he helped lifeguards rescue the victim.

"Gretchen, told me it doesn't look right and she sent me down. Sure enough, he needed help," he said. "To me he seemed to be in and out of it. Soon enough they had a pick-up there on the beach to help load him in."

The victim is hospitalized in stable condition.