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June 9, 2008

1 dies, 4 injured when lightning strikes Conn. beach

MADISON, Conn. -- A state official says one person has died and four remain hospitalized after lightning struck a pavilion at Hammonasset Beach State Park.

Dennis Schain of the Department of Environmental Protection says the lightning struck shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday near the West Beach parking area.

The names of the victims have not been released. Schain says the person who died was brought to the Shoreline Clinic in Essex.

No other details are available.

Hammonasset is Connecticut's largest shoreline park, with more than 2 miles of beach along Long Island Sound.

Strong thunderstorms moved through the state on Sunday afternoon. Connecticut Light & Power says nearly 26,000 of its customers in the state are without power.

Video: See footage from the scene.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 7:46 AM | Permalink

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