Lightning strikes Boy Scout camp in Gilmanton, New Hampshire

GlobalPost

Lightning has reportedly hit a Boy Scout camp in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, injuring 23 campers.

The campers were at Camp Bell at Griswold Scout Reservation, 87 miles north of Boston, when a storm system swept through Massachusetts Monday evening.

According to Boston.com, the campers — including Scouts aged from 12 to 16 and several adults — had gathered under a tarp to take shelter when lightning struck.

NECN cited Greg Osborn of the Daniel Webster Council as saying that while none of the 23 scouts and three leaders was directly hit by lightning, they "reported a tingly sensation after lightning struck."

Chief David Parenti of Belmont Fire Station told NBC that many of the injuries were minor burns.

Asked about the condition of those taken to hospitals, he said he "wouldn't even call it serious."

He said six scouts were given cardiac monitors because the burns were in the chest area.

Fire officials praised the teens for staying "calm and cool" after the incident.

Osborn says although two EMTs and a nurse were at the camp at the time, campers were transported to local hospitals as a precaution.

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