BOSTON --
Four people were in critical condition and another six were hospitalized following a lightning strike in Dorchester around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The victims were all males between the ages of 13 and 40 years old.
According to Boston police, the group was standing underneath a tree in the area of 70 Talbot Ave. watching a soccer game when the lightning hit. At least one man suffered symptoms of cardiac arrest at the scene.
Several of the victims were directly hit by the bolt, suffering contact burns and cardiac problems.
Its so horrible, I cant even describe it because its like nature took its course," said Sao Bockarie, a player who witnessed the strike. "I cant even describe the way the incident was, but it was very terrible."
The game had reportedly been called off due to the weather and the teams were walking off the field when the incident occurred.
The roof of a nearby home on Johnston Road was also damaged in the storm. Boston Fire Department officials said that five adults and eight children were displaced after damage left the home uninhabitable.
Firefighters were responding to multiple reports of basement and road flooding throughout the area. NSTAR reported that 5,000 customers scattered throughout Boston were without power.
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