Summer campers at Reform Jewish camp in Indiana struck by lightning
Three children were struck by lightning Saturday, June 28, at the Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) in Zionsville, Ind., near Indianapolis.
GUCI, a Reform Jewish summer camp, serves children in the Midwest, including several from Pittsburgh. Several staff members of the camp are also from Pittsburgh.
No one from Pittsburgh was injured.
The injured campers were a 12-year-old boy from the Cincinnati area, a 9-year-old girl from the St. Louis area and a 9-year-old boy from the Louisville, Ky., area. All three children were taken to hospitals in Indianapolis. As we go to press, one has been released, one is in stable condition and the third is stable but in critical condition.
The children were struck by lightning while participating in a camp activity in a field. Indianapolis police said it was not raining, and there was not a storm in the area at the time of the lightning strike.
Camp counselors were already performing CPR when medics arrived at the camp.
URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute sent the following message to parents of campers Saturday evening:
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.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mark Covitz
The Chronicle will publish more information as it becomes available.
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