A Bronx teen succumbed to his injuries after he and several others were visiting Orchard Beach when lightning struck them during a storm Thursday afternoon.
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Carlos Ramos was with his family at the beach around 5:20 p.m, when the thunderstorm passed through the area and struck the 13-year-old along with six other people. NYPD officers said Ramos was rushed to Jacobi Hospital where he later died. Before his death, the teen was celebrating his birthday with his twin sister last week.
The other victims who were injured in the lightning strike were a five-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl, and two teens, ages 13 and 14. Two adults, a man, and a woman, ages 41 and 33, were also injured during the storm but they were listed in stable condition.
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The Parks Department said in a statement that all swimmers were cleared from the water prior to the storm.
“Prior to the incident, lifeguards had cleared all swimmers from the water, and Parks staff made announcements over the public address system instructing patrons to clear the beach,”
A family friend of the Ramos said Carlos was often a “jokester” and had dreams to become a stand-up comedian.
“He wanted to play basketball and do stand-up comedy,”
His father wrote in a Facebook post about the teen’s death and called the situation “devastating.”
“This can’t be life. I’m going to miss you, my boy. I will love you always. Devastated and confused this is not happening.”