Three Kids Injured in Lightning Strike at Reform Summer Camp

By JTA June 30, 2013

Three children attending the Goldman Union Camp Institute were injured when lightning struck the field in which they were holding a camp activity.

One of the children reportedly is in critical but stable condition from the Saturday afternoon lightning strike on the Reform movement camp located in Zionville, Ind. near Indianapolis.

The three injured children have not been named, but have been identified as a 9-year-old girl from Missouri, a 9-year-old boy from Kentucky, and a 12-year-old boy from Ohio.

Following the accident, Rabbi Mark Covitz, director of the camp known as GUCI, sent out a message, also posted on Facebook, which read: “This Shabbat afternoon, lightning struck URJ Goldman Union Camp. Three campers were injured. Camp personnel and emergency professionals responded quickly. The children were taken to local hospitals and we have spoken with each child’s parents.

“We are resuming our normal camp schedule, which will include dinner and evening program. “Please know, the safety of your children is our highest priority.”

Emergency officials reportedly were called the camp at 1:40 p.m., where they found camp counselors performing “lifesaving efforts,” an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department report said, according to the Indianapolis Star newspaper.

It was not raining, nor was there a storm in the area at the time of the lighting strike, Indianapolis Police spokesman Kendale Adams told reporters.

More than 100 children in grades 3 through 12 currently are in residence at the camp.

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