MONMOUTH BEACH — A New York woman has died of injuries she suffered Saturday, July 7, when she was struck by lightning during an evening thunderstorm.
Indira Tursunova, 48, a New City, N.Y., resident, was walking along of the sea wall during a severe storm at about 7:40 p.m., when she was struck, according to Police Chief Drew Winans.
Tursunova was walking a short distance behind her husband and son on top of the 12-foot wall separating the borough’s beach area and Ocean Avenue. She headed to a staircase as the storm erupted, Winans said.
Police Lt. Dennis Cahill was on patrol on Ocean Avenue at that time and immediately responded.
Cahill administered first aid, trying to resuscitate Tursunova with CPR and the use of a defibrillator. Cahill received assistance from Sgt. Daniel McManus, an emergency medical technician and a JCP&L employee who happened to be in the vicinity, Winans said.
Tursunova was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, where she was initially listed in critical condition, and later succumbed to her injuries, Winans said.
Winans, who has been with the borough department for 19 years and spent another 14 years with the Long Branch department, said this was the first instance he can recall of a lightning strike leading to a fatality.
