Tragedy Strikes as Man Killed by Lightning on Beach while Attempting to Warn Others of Incoming Storm
Tragedy struck on a beach in New Jersey on Sunday when a man was killed by a lightning strike while trying to warn others about an incoming storm. The deceased, identified as Patrick Dispoto, made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save others from the menacing storm.
The Fateful Incident
In his last act of heroism, Dispoto, 59, had returned to his truck along with his girlfriend, Ruth Fussell, when they realised a storm was approaching Seaside Park Beach. He made the brave decision to go back to the beach to warn others, telling Fussell, “I’m just going to warn these kids because the sky is going to open.”
Fussell, unable to persuade Dispoto against returning to the beach, waited nervously in the truck. After 15 minutes of anxious waiting and failed attempts to reach him via phone, she returned to the beach only to find Dispoto unconscious.
The Aftermath
Despite the immediate attention and efforts of the emergency responders that performed CPR at the scene, Dispoto was sadly pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death was ruled as an “accidental death caused by lightning strike.”
According to data from the National Lightning Safety Council, this tragic incident marks the third lightning death in the United States this year, and becomes the first lightning strike related death in New Jersey since 2021. A record shows a total of 16 lightning-related deaths in New Jersey since 2006, with five of those fatalities occurring on beaches.
In Memory of a Hero; and Precautions taken by Seaside Park
Deeply affected by the incident, Fussell expressed her hope that Dispoto will be remembered for his selflessness and the lengths he went to ensure the safety of others. “So, his last act of heroism was his ultimate, and that’s my Patrick Dispoto”, Fussell said, commemorating her late partner’s bravery.
Spurred by the unfortunate loss, and fuelled by a pre-existing drive for public safety, Seaside Park has promptly installed a lightning warning system known as the Strike Guard Lightning Detection System. This system, which cost nearly $50,000, has been designed to alert residents and visitors to any imminent dangers posed by lightning by monitoring both cloud and cloud-to-ground strikes within a twenty-mile radius.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
