By Nicolas Fernandes
nj.com
WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — A worker for the Woodbridge Department of Public Works was struck by lightning Wednesday afternoon while working on the soccer field at a township school, Mayor John E. McCormac said.
The 39-year-old worker was lining the soccer field at Iselin Middle School at 12:21 p.m. when he was struck, McCormac said. Strong thunderstorms were moving through several areas of northern and central New Jersey at the time.
A single bolt of lightning struck the man, who has worked for the DPW for 19 years, before he and his coworkers were able to secure shelter. His coworkers then called 911.
Police Officer R.J. McPartland, a certified EMT, was stationed at the nearby J.F.K. High School when he responded to the incident. He arrived within minutes and restored the man’s pulse, township officials said.
“Officer McPartland by virtue of being a firefighter for many years before becoming a police officer, is very well trained in CPR and first-aid and he immediately gave CPR to (the worker),” McCormac said at a press conference that was videotaped by Fox 5 News in New York. “It was very fortunate that he was there at the time that he was there.”
The DPW worker was then transported to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center where he is currently listed in stable condition, officials said.
“He is alert, and aware, he is talking and that’s very good news,” the mayor said. “Right now we have every reason to believe that R.J. McPartland saved (the worker’s) life.”
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